1^. 


/6/f 


s. 


PRESENTED  TO  THE  LIBRARY 


OF 


PRINCETON  THEOLOGICAL  SEMINHRY 


BY 


Mt<s.  Rlexandcp  Ppoudfit. 

BX  9211  .P4913  M5  1883 
Mutchmore,  S.  A.  1830-1898. 
Mites  against  millions;  or. 
Childhood  against  the  worl 


-«« 


4 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS; 


OR, 


Childhood  Against  the  World. 


,3v    S  J:^'^^^<~f^k.-^-trc    "2^  rx> 


Hew  a  Church  -was  Built  and  Paid  for  through  a  Bequest 

of  $4..41. 


PHILADELPHIA : 
PRESBYTERIAN  PUBLISHING  COMPANY, 
No.  15 12  Chestnut  Street. 
1883. 


Entered  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  OflBce  of  the  Librarian  of 
Congress,  at  Washington,  D.  C,  A.  D.  1883,  by  The  Presbyterian  Printing 
AND  Publishing  Company,  Philadelphia. 


A 


KRRATA. 

Page  26,  line  16,  solitaire. 

'*       34,  "  27,  brake. 

'<        36,  "         1,  Cooke. 

*'        64,  '*  28,  assimilation. 

'*        67,  ''  27,  straitened. 

71,  "  16,  of  {''for"). 

73,  "  19,  for  f'to")- 

'*       74,  *'  29,  genial. 

*'       83,  "        8,  preceding  cut  (page  62; 

''     126,  *'  15,  loyalty. 

"      130,  ''      18,  by  C'in"). 

*<       131,  '*  22,  Stevenson. 

''       131,  "  26,  McManes. 

**      139,  ''       11,  for  C'to"). 

'*      148,  "        5,  from  C'of"). 

'*      156,  ''      19,  syne. 


INTRODUCTION. 


The  last  pulse  of  the  drowning  victim  is  felt 
to  the  utmost  limit  of  every  shore.  Not  less 
mighty  in  result  is  the  last  heart-throb  in  the 
sea  of  air  that  surrounds  us^  or  the  greater  sea 
of  life  moved  by  it.  And  as  true  is  it  of  un- 
selfish acts,  often  in  man's  calculations  con- 
temptible, which  produce  results  ever  multi- 
plying throughout  the  moral  universe.  The 
same  line  of  thought  can  be  traced  through 
the  Saviour's  discourses — burdened  by  con- 
ceptions of  the  expansive  power  of  good  deeds. 
He  entered  the  domain  of  chemistry  and  gave 
the  first  discourse  on  diastase,  the  enlarging 
and  permeating  power  of  the  Gospel,  in  the 
parable  of  the  leaven  hid  in  the  measure  oi 
meal,  and  in  that  of  the  expansion  of  the  mus- 
tard seed,  from  which  we  gather  the  other  fact 
of  the  compressibility  of  Divine  power,  which 
can  bulk  within  the  shell  of  a  mustard  seed 
the  faith  force  to  remove -mountains.  Nor  is  it 
surprising  that  He  made  so  much  of  the  com- 

iii. 


IV.  INTKODUCTION. 

pressibility  and  expansion  of  Divine  energy; 
for  man's  weakness  will  always  by  contrast 
appear  greatest  right  here.  Man's  comprehen- 
sion cannot  get  beyond  the  measure  of  force  by 
bulk.  How  much  has  been  lost  to  the  Church 
and  the  progress  of  religion  in  the  world  by 
this  mischievous  misconception  can  never  be 
estimated ;  that  the  loss  is  beyond  compute 
grows  more  apparent,  as  we  perceive  God's 
ability,  on  the  one  hand,  to  hide  worlds  in  mole- 
cules, and  on  the  other,  to  expand  molecules  to 
worlds.  And  what  the  Word  of  God,  Provi- 
dence, and  Nature  reveal  of  the  law  of  this 
peculiar  progress,  history,  tradition,  and  even 
fiction  embellish.  A  gem  broken  at  some  angle 
from  all  these,  as  far  as  we  have  ability  to  give 
it  setting,  shall  sparkle  in  practical  application 
through  the  following  pages,  illustrating  God's 
omnipotence  and  beneficence  in  hiding  His 
maivels  of  power  in  a  life  young  and  evan- 
escent, through  death  and  by  death  expanded 
into  results  novel  and  surprising. 

The  followincr  resolutions  were  offered  and 
unanimously  adopted  by  Presbytery  of  Phila- 
delphia Central^  at  its  monthly  meeting  March 
7th,  1 88 1  :— 


INTROD^JCTION.  V. 

"  Whereas,  Presbytery  desires  to  show  Its  ap- 
preciation of  all  efforts  in  church  extension,  and 
particularly  in  the  building  of  churches  and 
chapels  without  incurring  debt,  therefore, 

1.  Resolved,  That  we  record  our  gratitude  to 
God  for  the  success  in  this  respect  of  the  church 
enterprise  at  Montgomery  Avenue  and  Eigh- 
teenth Street,  where  we  have  a  new  and  vigor- 
ous young  church,  with  a  property  worth  fifty 
thousand  dollars,'''  unencumbered  with  debt. 

2.  Resolved,  That  for  the  encouragement  and 
direction  of  other  like  efforts,  we  request  the 
Pastor,  Rev.  S.  A.  Mutchmore,  D.D.,  by  whose 
direction  the  work  has  been  accomplished,  to 
prepare  a  history  of  the  enterprise  and  the  man- 
ner of  its  progress,  at  such  time  as  may  be 
convenient  to  him. 

3.  Resolved^  That  in  what  remains  to  be  done 
in  the  entire  completion  and  furnishing  of  the 
building,  we  heartily  commend  it  to  the  con- 
tinued and  generous  co-operation  of  those  who 
desire  the  extension  of  the  Redeemer's  King- 
dom." 

WM.   GREENOUGH,   S.    C. 

*  It  is  now  valued  at  $75,000 


Mites  Against  Millions. 


CHAPTER   I. 

Late  in  the  year  1870  a  family  from  New  England 
— father,  mother,  and  a  daughter  about  seven  years  old — 
came  sometimes  to  worship  in  the  Cohocksink  Church  in 
Philadelphia.  Being  strangers,  they  were  only  known 
by  their  occasional  attendance  upon  the  services,  usually 
at  night.  Their  whole  demeanor  was  that  of  cultivated, 
though  poor  people.  They  lived  in  a  small  house  on 
a  quiet  street;  and  traces  of  former  luxury  were  ap- 
parent in  articles  of  furniture  which  had  once  graced 
a  home  of  comfort.  They  had  no  friends  in  the  church 
except  the  Pastor,  and  this  was  but  a  vestibule  acquaint- 
ance until  a  short  time  before  the  beginning  of  the  Week 
of  Prayer,  during  which  the  mother  and  little  daughter 
attended  the  services,  sitting  far  back  in  the  lecture- 
room,  disappearing  immediately  after  the  close  of  the 
meetings. 

During  the  progress  of  these  meetings  the  mother 
asked  the  Pastor  to  call  at  their  home  to  talk  with  her 
about  the  daughter  who  was  troubling  her  upon  the 
subject  of  uniting  with  the  church. 

1 


2  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

• 
^*  Why  are  you  so  coDcerned  at  the  persistelice  of  this 

little  daughter  iu  her  conviction  that  slie  onght  to  pro- 
fess Christ?"  She  replied,  tenderly,  ^^  Only  because  1 
think  her  too  young/'  To  the  inquiry,  '^  Plow  old  is 
she?"  she  answered,  "Seven  years  old;  she  is  thought- 
ful and  a  well-disposed  child,  and  I  sometimes  fear  we 
shall  not  have  her  long.  She  is  our  all,  and  we 
want  her  to  be  good,  but  feel  that  she  is  too  young  to 
take  a  step  so  important ;  besides,  I  have  seen  so  much 
mischief  arising  from  uniting  with  the  church  thought- 
lessly, and  so  much  evil  in  revivals,  that  I  do  not  want 
her  to  do  it.''  "  Madam,  are  you  a  member  of  church  ?" 
The  question  agitatt'd  her.  Her  e  notion  showed  plainly 
that  her  memory  of  the  past  was  punctured  at  a  vital 
point,  for  she  was  herself  an  irregular  member,  having 
been  compelled  to  be  absent  from  her  duties  by  tlie  per- 
plexities of  their  poverty,  which  had,  no  doubt,  driven 
her  from  duty  as  a  privilege.  Sunshine  to  most  natures 
develops'  the  Divine  life  more  quickly  and  generally 
than  the  cloudy  days  and  biting  frosts  of  adversity. 
But  the  question  had  gone  deeper  than  it  was  intended, 
and  brought  tears  out  of  the  fountain  of  her  heart. 

During  the  interview  with  the  child,  whose  pale  face 
was  bright,  composed,  and  confiding,  the  Pastor  asked, 
"Do  you  go  to  church?"  She  replied,  "Yes  sir ;  Mamma 
and  I  go  at  night,  and  sit  under  the  gallery.  Papa  has 
lost  his  money,  and  our  clothes  are  not  fit  to  sit  with  the 
fine  people  who  go  to  church  in  the  daytime."  "  Do 
you  think  you  ought  to  unite  with  the  church  ?"  "  Yes 


MITES  AGAINST  MIIIIONS,  3 

sir/'  she  answered,  more  calmly  than  many  of  maturer 
years  could  have  done.  '^  Don't  you  think  you  are  too 
young?"  "  No  sir."  "  But  your  mother  does."  "  Mamma 
is  only  afraid  I  won't  hold  out;  but  Jesus  has  promised  to 
help  me."  "  You  feel  sure  of  your  duty,  though  your 
mother  does  not  think  the  same?"  ^^Yes  sir."  "Well, 
give  me  your  reason  for  so  thinking."  "  Mamma  read  to 
me  from  the  Testament,  that  Jesus  said,  ^Suffer  little 
children  to  come  unto  me,  and  forbid  them  not,  for  of 
such  is  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;'  but  nobody  calls  me 
a  little  child  any  more,  so  I  guess  I  must  be  bigger  than 
the  ones  He  took  into  His  arms."  '^  Did  you  ever  hear 
of  a  little  girl  seven  years  old  coming  to  the  com- 
munion?" '^I  don't  know  as  I  did;  but  I  don't  see 
why  one  should  not.  I  think  God  is  a  father ;  don't 
the  Bible  say  so  ?"  '^  Yes."  "  Then  don't  fathers  want 
their  children  to  come  to  tlie  table  when  they  are 
hungry  ?  My  father  does  ;  and  is  not  God  better  than 
any  earthly  father?     Mamma  says  so  !" 

The  Pastor  said  to  the  mother,  "  Your  child  is  cer- 
tainly born  of  God,  for  no  child  could  form  such  an  ex- 
2)erience  out  of  her  own  mind ;  no  man  or  woman  could, 
for  it  is  not  the  product  of  genius,  but  grace.  I  will 
present  her  case  to  the  Session  and  tell  them  what  you 
have  both  said,  and  if  the  Session,  which  is  one  of  great 
experience  and  prudence,  agree  to  it,  she  might  be  re- 
ceived into  the  church.  "  Could  you  trust  the  judgment 
of  the  Session  if  they  tell  you  that  they  think  your 
daughter  ought  to  be  received  into  the  church  ?".    She 


4  MITES  A  GAINST  Mill  IONS. 

replied  that  her  only  wish  was  to  do  what  was  for  the 
best,  but  said,  ''  I  am  so  unworthy  I  ought  not  to  judr;e; 
do  as  you  think  ri^^ht;"  and  with  these  words  she  was 
overeome  with  weeping. 

This  child  was  not  as  many  of  maturer  years — all  ab- 
sorbed about  herself.  Her  father  Avas  not  a  Christian, 
and  his  business  was  against  him.  He  was  traveling, 
beyond  the  sanctities  of  home  or  the  blessing  of  reg- 
ular habits  in  church-going.  He  did  not  often  appear  at 
the  house  of  God ;  and,  so  far  as  we  know,  no  one  ex- 
cept his  little  invalid  daughter  and  his  wife  cared  for 
his  soul.  He  had  just  returned  from  a  long  business 
journey  to  find  a  marvelous  change  in  his  home.  The 
Spirit  of  God  was  there,  and  it  had  been  turned  into  the 
presence  chamber  of  God  and  place  of  deep  longings  for 
good.  Heaven  had  entered  during  his  absence  and  had 
called  his  only  child  to  the  service  of  saving  her  father. 
She  told  him  her  purpose  and  of  her  interviews  with  the 
Pastor  and  of  the  blessed  revival  in  progress  in  the 
church,  from  which  she  had  been  prevented  by  her 
delicate  health.  She  begged  him  to  go  with  her,  when 
the  communion  should  come,  into  the  church.  He  said, 
'^Daughter,  I  would  be  glad  to  go  with  you,  but  I  am 
not  fit.  ^^  But,''  said  she,  "God  will  give  you  fitness,  as 
He  did  to  me;  and  I  will  pray  for  you.  Dear  papa, 
won't  you  go  with  me?  Mamma  is  going  to  unite  with 
the  church.  There  is  church  to-night,"  said  she.  "  You 
go.  Mamma  and  I  will  pray  for  you,  that  God  will 
take  all  your  fears  away.     He  promised,  and  was  pres- 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  5 

ent  at  the  services,  and  did  not  disguise  the  fact  of  his 
deep  concern  for  his  soul.  He  remained  at  home  not 
'only  on  account  of  the  sickness  of  his  daughter,  but  on 
account  of  the  more  important  fact  that  he  felt  that  the 
time  had  come  to  seek  that  peace  the  world  could 
neither  give  nor  take  away.  He  was  finding  new 
sources  of  devotion  to  this  only  child.  He  had  thought 
theie  could  be  no  stronger  ties  than  in  his  love  for  her, 
but  he  was  to  learn  a  new  and  stronger  devotion  in  her 
love  for  him.  What  an  eventful  week  that  was  when 
Christ  was  all  the  theme  in  that  home,  and  every  other 
interest  was  consumed  in  this.  Those  were  growing 
days  in  the  Cohocksink  Church.  It  was  entering  the 
clouds  of  fear;  but  instead  of  failing,  it  was  to  be  bap- 
tized in  them.  The  church  was  urged  to  rise  to  its 
privilege,  its  joy,  and  heaven's  joy  in  the  exertions  of 
its  love  and  gratitude,  to  save  souls. 

At  one  of  the  services  the  church  was  asked  to 
engage  in  silent  prayer  and  to  become  sponsor  for  those 
unfortunates,  those  spiritual  orphans,  willful  and  ne- 
glected, who  were  connected  to  the  church  by  covenant, 
or  who  had  put  us  under  obligations  by  attending  upon 
its  services  and  contributing  to  its  support,  that  the 
King  might  stretch  out  the  golden  sceptre  to  them. 
All  in  the  house,  saints  and  sinners,  put  themselves 
in  an  attitude  of  prayer ;  and  it  seemed  as  though  from 
every  heart  a  prayer  went  uj) — an  amazing  scene.  The 
Pastor  was  impressed  that  God's  Spirit  in  some  measure 
pervaded  every  heart,  and  was  prompted  to  test  it,  by 


6  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS, 

callincr  on  the  church  first  to  say  if  the  services  should 
be  protracted  through  the  following  week,  saying, 
'^Brethren,  this  does  not  mean  that  you  are  merely 
willing  to  attend  these  services,  but  that  you  will  lay 
aside  every  hindering  cause ;  that  you  will  visit  your 
friends,  and  speak  to  them  about  their  salvation ;  that 
.you  covenant  to  follow  the  suggestions  of  God's  Spirit 
for  yourselves,  your  families  and  neighbors.  If  you 
do  not  mean  this,  do  not  assent  by  rising  in  your 
places."  Nearly  the  entire  church  rose.  A  few,  as  usual, 
could  not  adjust  themselves  to  any  forward  movement 
— "afraid  of  excitements  or  of  being  fanatical,  or  not 
believing  in  revival  methods.'^  The  Pastor  then  turned 
to  the  impenitent  and  said,  "You  see  what  the  people  of 
God  propose  to  do  for  you — to  pray  for  you,  and  to  speak 
to  you,  to  labor  in  every  w^ay  possible  for  your  sal- 
vation this  week.  What  will  you  do  for  yourselves? 
Will  you  promise  to  come  to  church  ?  Will  you  pray 
for  yourselves?  Will  you  let  us  pray  for  you  till  you 
cease  to  grieve  the  Holy  Spirit,  and  let  Him  do  unre- 
sisted what  He  will  for  you?  Will  you  receive  kindly 
these  people  of  God,  who  seek  your  soul's  good?  If 
so,  rise  up."  Almost  all  of  this  class  arose,  and  so  far 
as  known  kept  their  promise  during  the  continuance  of 
the  services. 

The  same  deep  seriousness  pervaded  the  Sabbath- 
•school  in  the  afternoon.  The  superintendent,  Elder 
Harvey,  said  to  the  teachers,  "  Teach  for  eternity ;"  and 
subsequent  events  showed  that  they  liad  heeded  the  in- 
junction. 


MITES  A  GAINST  MIIIIONS.  7 

At  the  close  the  younger  children  were  dismissed,  and 
only  the  adult  classes  were  asked  to  remain,  to  whom 
the  Pastor  made  a  short  address,  urging  upon  them 
thoughtfulness,  prayerfulness,  and  decision,  announcing 
that  he  wished  the  Session  Avould  meet  any  who  were 
willing  even  to  talk  upon  the  subject  of  their  souls'  in- 
terest, not  knowing  certainly  that  there  was  one  in  the 
house  ready  to  take  a  step  so  decided.  The  hymn,  ^'  Lin- 
ger Not,"  was  sung.  One  after  another,  male  and  female 
—more  than  fifty — responded,  until  the  room  was  filled 
and  two  adjoining  class-rooms.  The  Session  and  teachers 
were  overwhelmed  with  joy  to  see  the  seed  they  had  scat- 
tered so  unskillfully,  and  often  indifferently  and  wearily, 
ripened  into  such  a  surprising  harvest.  Their  humili- 
ation at  these  results  w^as  as  great  as  their  unbelief  had 
been,  which  had  wrought  carelessness  in  their  work. 
They  felt  accused,  as  did  Peter,  when  Jesus  had  com- 
manded him  to  launch  out  into  the  deep,  who  had  op- 
posed his  own  judgment  against  possibility  of  success, 
saying,  "  Lord,  we  have  toiled  all  night,  and  have  taken 
nothing,''  giving  only  reluctant  and  faithless  obedience; 
who  afterward  was  confounded  and  confused  at  the 
result,  cried,  as  if  dazed  by  his  unbelief  and  God's 
mercy,  "Depart  from  me,  O  Lord,  for  I  am  a  sinful 
man."  The  emotion  was  so  great,  it  was  almost  impos- 
sible to  find  any  one  who  could  get  through  a  prayer  for 
the  penitents.  This  work  of  grace  had  begun  before, 
but  God  just  then  opened  our  sealed  and  filmed  vision 
to  see  it.     This  manifestation  of  the  Holy  Spirit's  pres- 


8  MITES  A  GAINST  MILL  TONS. 

ence  continued,  reacliing  young  and  old,  from  children 
to  men  of  seventy  years,  until  over  one  hundred  pro- 
fessed their  faith. 

During  this  revival  the  father  of  the  little  girl  made 
profession  of  his  faith  and  was  received  into  the  church. 
The  prayers  of  the  mother  and  child  were  answered.  A 
new  sun  broke  upon  their  long  grief-clouded  horizon. 
They  had  lost  their  earthly  estate,  but  had  been  made 
instead  the  heirs  of  an  inheritance  incorruptible,  which 
fadeth  not  away,  and  had  already  received  the  first  in- 
stalment in  being  an  unbroken  family  in  the  hope  that 
purifies  the  soul. 

Sickness  had  prevented  the  daughter  from  accom- 
panying Jier  father,  so  she  sent  her  prayers  with  him 
and  laid  patiently  on  her  bed,  more  than  repaid  for  its  pri- 
vations in  thankfulness  over  the  answers  which  were  soon 
returned.  Being  too  ill  to  go  out  at  night,  and  not  able 
to  be  present  at  the  meeting  of  the  Session  in  the  church, 
hers  was  made  a  special  case ;  and,  upon  the  presentation 
of  the  evidences  of  her  spiritual  life,  which  the  Pastor 
had  gained  in  his  frequent  visits,  the  Session  deter- 
mined to  send  a  committee,  consisting  of  Elders  Har- 
vey and  Scott,  to  receive  her  at  her  home. 

She  was  weak  and  nervous.  The  thought  of  the 
event  and  the  surprises  of  such  happiness  were  too  much 
for  her  feeble  constitution,  in  which  the  evidences  of  con- 
sumption were  already  too  visible  for  any  hope  beyond  a 
few  months.  Her  experience  was  so  well  known  to  the 
Pastor  and  Session  that  but  few  questions  were  asked. 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  9 

Few  needed  to  be  asked,  for  it  was  but  too  apparent 
that  her  childlike  life  would  soon  be  developed  in  Christ- 
likeness  in  His  immediate  presence  and  in  companion- 
ships of  those  gone  before.  She  expressed  the  hope  that 
she  might  be  at  the  coming  communion,  and  said  she 
was  praying  for  strength  to  be  with  her  father  and 
mother,  the  sweetest  desire  of  her  heart. 

She  was  granted  the  wish  of  her  life,  and  stood  be- 
tween father  and  mother  on  that  eventful  day,  now  so 
rich  in  the  memories  of  that  great  multitude — nearly  one 
hundred — who  stood  up  with  her  to  profess  Christ. 

As  they  were  making  their  public  profession  they 
stood  at  the  head  of  the  large  circle  around  the  pulpit  on 
the  east  side  of  the  church.  The  father  changed  places 
with  the  child,  and  she  became  the  first  of  the  circle. 
The  reason  for  the  change  was  afterwards  explained, 
"  I  placed  her  there  because  she  had  become,  by  God^s 
grace,  the  head  of  the  family.  I  was  unworthy,  hav- 
ing neglected  my  duty;  and  it  seemed  as  if  we  were 
to  be  led  by  a  child  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven." 
This  was  nothing  new,  for  who  has  not  seen  often  gray- 
haired  parents,  upon  whom  the  frosts  of  unbelief  had 
settled,  whose  hearts  had  been  chilled  by  the  cares  and 
neglects  of  life,  warmed  into  immortal  vitality  by  the 
prayers  and  examples  of  their  children — by  that  glorified 
childhood,  which  lies  inthebosomof  the  utterances,  '^Ex- 
cept ye  be  converted,  and  become  as  little  children,  ye  can- 
not enter  the  kingdom  of  heaven."  "Out  of  the  mouths 


10  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

of  babes  and  sucklings''  God  is  ever  confounding  the  wis- 
dom of  the  world.  The  fortresses  of  human  knowledge 
are  pulled  down  by  the  Lilliputs  of  His  grace.  We  often 
see  likedisplays  intheforces  of  nature,  but  fail  to  general- 
ize from  them  to  guide  us  in  the  workings  of  grace.  We 
can  but  admire  the  concentration  and  well-directed  force 
in  the  little  tug,  which  lies  scarcely  above  the  surface  of 
the  water,  appearing  not  much  larger  than  a  man's 
body,  taking  two  and  three  great  ships  from  the  harbor 
out  to  sea.  So  have  we  seen  a  wife  or  child,  the  weak- 
est fraction  of  a  family  in  human  estimation,  taking  out 
of  life's  dangers,  snares,  and  tumults,  the  strong  ones, 
overcoming  sharp  resistances,  "patiently  enduring  as 
seeing  Him  who  is  invisible,"  until  all  are  brought  into 
the  desired  haven. 

That  Sabbath  was  a  memorial  day  in  the  history  of 
the  church,  as  well  as  to  this  new-born  family.  It  was 
deeply  solemn — one  of  the  moist-days  in  Christian  life, 
when  graces  soiled  through  worldliness  are  washed  in 
the  tears  which  have  their  sources  in  broken  and  contrite 
hearts.  It  was  a  communion  rich  in  joyful  and  sorrow- 
ful memories. 

In  the  breaking  of  the  bread  there  was  a  solemn 
hush.  It  was  to  every  heart  more  as  a  personal 
than  a  symbolic  and  historical  act.  Half- suppressed 
sobs  and  sighs  were  heard — some  of  penitence,  others 
of  freshened  memories  of  the  loved  whose  places  were 
vacant.    Those  sitting  apart  by  the  aisles  of  separation — 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  1 1 

the  unwilling,  those  who  were  longing  but  fearful — wept 
over  their  unhappy  condition.  The  communicants  were 
asked  to  bow  in  a  silent  prayer  for  special  wants ;  for  re- 
lief from  those  mute  sorrows  which  course  too  deeply  to 
be  heard,  and  for  patience  to  bear  them;  for  the  prodi- 
gals, covenant-treasures,  given  in  vows  by  prayerful 
lips  now  silent  in  death. 


CHAPTER  11. 

In  the  days  of  their  abundance  the  parents  aimed  to 
gratify  every  wish  of  this  only  child.  Until  she  was 
six  years  old  she  had  never  heard  of  need  and  the 
struggles  it  imposes.  The  year  of  reverses  through 
which  they  had  passed  seemed  to  have  advanced  her 
five  years  beyond  her  age.  She  talked  as  one  who  had 
gone  far  in  the  experiences  of  life. 

The  journey  from  New  England  to  Philadelphia  was 
to  her  mother  one  of  sad  forebodings.  It  was  to  be  a 
wrestle  with  want  in  a  strange  city,  far  from  home  and 
friends.  The  father  was  a  commercial  traveler;  and 
they  were  to  be  deprived  of  his  presence,  living  in 
dread  of  harm  to  him  through  sickness  or  accident  on 
liis  journeys.  The  mother,  in  the  city  of  strangers,  had 
no  companion  but  her  daughter.  Of  course,  in  this 
eventful  year,  hearing  all  the  fears  and  trials  of  her 
mother,  she  grew  old ;  but  beneath  all  this  an  unseen 
power  was  bringing  the  tender  plant  to  perfection  by 
putting  perfection  into  the  flower  for  transplanting  into 
more  genial  surroundings. 

We  have   often  to  confront  the  pertinent  question, 

sometimes  in  tears,  sometimes  in  jesting,  "  How  is  it 

that  all  the  good  little  children  of  whom  we  read  in 

books  always  die?"     We  answer.  How  is  it  that  the 

largest  and  most  promising  fruit  falls  earliest  to  the 
12 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS,  13 

ground?  It  ripens  first;  it  has  been  in  a  favorable 
position,  where  it  was  washed  by  the  first  dews  and 
folded  in  the  first  sun  rays.  The  winds  tested  hardest 
its  strength  of  stem ;  and  as  it  grew  in  proportion,  beauty, 
flavor,  and  tinting,  it  loosens  its  hold  upon  the  bough 
and  fa'Js  unchilled  before  the  coming  of  autumnal  frosts. 
Observation  shows  this  in  God's  grace  as  in  nature;  to 
open  eyes  its  mysteries  are  common-places.  On  the 
young  spirit  of  this  child,  whose  time  of  education  for 
heaven  was  counted  by  days  instead  of  years,  severe 
and  quick  discipline  was  set  to  the  preparation.  Dark 
Providences  were  called  to  the  services,  as  they  would 
seem — obscure  to  the  natural  vision — but  by  these 
poverty  and  grace  began  the  work  of  polishing  this 
jewel,  that  it  might  be  fit  for  a  glorious  setting. 

A  single  fact  will  show  the  beginning  and  ending. 
Among  the  gifts  received  by  her  was  an  iron  box  or 
bank,  into  which  in  better  days  was  placed  the  small 
change,  which  it  was  the  rule  of  the  household  to  give 
her;  every  three-cent  nickel  was  understood  to  be  her 
tithing.  She  was  thus  sAving  to  get  for  herself  a  set  of 
jewelry,  "when  she  should  be  a  young  lady.''  But  in 
the  day  of  reverses  she  changed  her  purpose  regarding 
the  contents  of  this  bank.  She  woukl  say  in  her  sweet, 
trusting,  simple  way  to  her  mother,  when  the  burden  of 
poverty  and  loneliness  would  force  her  into  weeping, 
"  Don't  cry,  mamma ;  I  will  give  you  the  money  in  my 
bank."  The  mother  said,  "I  cannot  tell  how  often 
this  offer  brought  repose  and  even  sunshine  to  my 
troubled  heart." 


14  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

After  her  union  with  the  church  she  again  changed 
the  direction  of  her  treasure.  One  morning  at  break- 
fast she  said,  ^^I  think  I  must  put  my  bank  in  heaven." 
*^  Why,"  said  her  mother,  ^^I  was  counting  on  it  to  help 
us  if  our  money  should  run  out.  If  anything  should 
happen  your  father,  you  know  we  would  not  have 
enouirh  to  live  on  a  week."  She  was  silent  and  thou  .»;ht- 
ful  all  the  morning.  At  luncheon  she  said,  "  ]\Ia,  I 
have  been  thinking  about  my  bank,  and  it  seems  to  me 
that  I  ought  to  put  it  in  heaven,  for  you  know  tliat  you 
read  to  me,  '  Where  your  treasure  is,  there  will  your 
heart  be  also.'  I  want  my  heart  to  be  in  heaven,  but 
while  the  bank  is  mine  I  keep  thinking  what  nice 
things  I  could  buy  with  it ;  and  the  old  purpose  before 
papa's  troubles  comes  back  and  troubles  me — what  nice 
jewelry  I  could  get  with  it  when  I  get  to  be  a  young 
lady.  If  I  should  give  it  to  God,  I  would  know  it  was 
His,  and  to  think  about  taking  it  would  be  stealing; 
and  you  know  God  has  promised  to  take  care  of  His 
children,  and  I  am  not  afraid  of  being  needy  or  hungry. 
Don't  we  have  enough  every  day  ?  Can't  God  keep 
pa  next  week  as  well  as  this?" 

This  ended  the  conversation  for  weeks.  "  But,"  said 
the  mother,  "  it  taught  me  a  lesson  I  needed.  It  was  a 
i-cbuke  to  my  want  of  faith  and  fruitless- tears,  whicli  I 
hope  has  been  a  blessing  ever  since.  It  seems  as  though 
God  were  reproving  my  distrust  by  the  mouth  of  the 
babe  of  my  bosom." 

A  change  had   now  come  that  was   unmistakable  in 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  15 

its  meanings  that  this  young  Christian  was  now  to 
know  the  passive  side  of  spiritual  life,  and  in  her  re- 
maining days  to  gain  victories  by  contest  with  pain — 
'^  Out  of  weakness  made  strong/'  The  chill  winds  of 
March,  coming  salted  and  iced  from  the  sea,  weakened^ 
a  frail  body  already  strained  by  a  mind  beyond  its 
strength.  The  hope  of  going  the  next  Sabbath  to 
church,  and  then  the  next,  bore  her  brightly  through 
each  week.  When  the  looked-for  day  came,  weakness 
and  a  dry  and  harrassing  cough  would  anticipate  her 
fond  hopes.  But  she  took  up  these  shattered  hopes  again 
for  \\\Q  "  next  Sunday,^'  smiling  through  the  weary  hours 
of  pain  another  week.  It  was  evident  that  disease  was 
gaining  the  mastery.  The  cheerful  smile  became  a 
halo  to  the  fever-flushed  face,  and  the  shadows  of  death 
began  to  gather.  The  great  problem  was  now  to  keep 
her  alive  until  the  genial  sun  sliould  dissolve  the  snows 
and  mitigate  the  chill  winds  back  in  their  native  New 
England,  whither  the  mother  purposed  to  take  her  dearest, 
all  that  she  had  in  this  world,  iu)W  slipping  from  her 
embrace.  The  child  comprehended  the  situation,  and  be- 
gan to  adjust  herself  to  it,  as  summer's  leaf  to  autunni 
sunshine,  on  which  the  impress  of  death  first  appears 
in  the  changed  color  of  the  veins,  deepening  gradually 
into  crimson  and  gold;  but  her  life  anticipated  the 
autumn,  and  withered  under  the  breath  of  March. 
She  began  to  talk  strangely  of  a  life  that  at  first,  to 
those  who  loved  her,  seemed  afar  oif.  To  them  it 
was  as  if  she  spake  in  parables,  or  uttered  "dark  say- 


16  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

ings  on  the  harp ;'^  and  in  unwillingness  to  recognize 
the  truth,  attributed  it  to  the  eifect  of  morphia  given  to 
lull  the  cough  and  bring  sleep  to  weary  eyes.  But  she 
brought  heaven  nearer  every  day,  and  was  daily  becom- 
ing more  intimate  with  God.  She  reached  the  sublime 
altitude  where  death  seemed  but  a  speck  on  the  widen- 
ing disk  of  a  rising  life.  She  ever  welcomed  the  visits 
of  her  Pastor  as  the  occasion  of  finding  out  something 
new  about  heaven.  She  could  hardly  wait  to  answer 
questions  as  to  her  health,  but  would  begin  at  once  to 
ask  about  heaven,  as  if  to  puncture  the  veil  which  hung 
between.  Her  eye  w^ould  catch  a  strange,  unearthly 
lustre,  seeming  to  scan  immortality  with  its  searching 
gaze.  The  14th  chapter  of  St.  John  and  the  22d  chapter 
of  Revelation  were  her  fields  of  investigation,  revery, 
and  delight. 

On  a  bright  May  morning,  when  she  was  being  con- 
veyed to  the  train  to  go  to  one  of  the  New  England 
States,  (we  think,  though  not  certain,  Vermont,)  she 
said,  "  I  don't  think  it  will  do  me  any  good.  I  may 
never  come  back  ;  but  mamma  will  feel  better  about  it, 
and  I  ho2)e  I  shall  breathe  easier  so  high  up,  and  be 
nearer  heaven.  Good  by,  dear  Pastor;  remember  me 
to  the  Sabbath- school ;  pray  for  me,  that  I  may  get 
through ;  and  if  I  don't  come  back,  I  will  look  for 
vou  in  heaven. '^ 


CHAPTETv   III. 

From  the  other  sources  were  gleaned  the  incidents 
recorded  here  as  links  binding  her  past  with  the  after- 
fragment  of  time,  when  the  relation  of  pastor  and 
dying  parishioner  were  again  renewed. 

After  reaching  the  mountain  heights,  with  the  pleas- 
ant surroundings  and  tender  solicitude  of  kindred,  she 
seemed  to  revive,  and  wa-s  able  to  go  occasionally  to 
church  and  Sabbath -school ;  and  her  work  of  love  was 
not  suspended.  She  lived  Christ,  and  commended  Him 
so  attractively  that  her  young  associates,  whether  Chris- 
tians or  not,  were  never  weary  hearing  of  that  faith 
which  was  to  her  hope,  joy,  and  life.  The  summer 
passed  away  in  alternate  light  and  shadow,  hope  and 
fear,  to  the  anxious  mother ;  but  the  sunset  was  near, 
and  the  shadows  deepened  daily. 

In  the  early  autumn  the  family  returned  to  Philadel- 
phia, hoping  by  the  milder  winter  to  put  off  the  inevita- 
ble day.  She  hoped  and  prayed  that  she  might  once 
more  go  to  church  and  Sabbath -school.  One  day  she 
said  to  the  Pastor,  ''  If  I  could  go  to  the  communion 
once  more,  I  think  it  would  be  all  I  should  want,''  and 
then  asked,  "  Do  you  think  I  shall  know  everything 
when  I  die,  or  will  I  lose  my  sight  first?  I  hope  I 
will  not  die  blind.  I  want  to  see  papa  and  mamma 
before  the  Saviour  comes  to  take  me  to  His  arms.     Do 

you  think  it  will  be  dark  on  the  way  to  heaven  ?"    The 

2 


18  MITES  AGA/XST  ^J/L/JOXS. 

Pastor  said  '^No."  "  Tlion  Avhat  does  it  moan  in  the 
23(1  Ps:\liu  about  the  '  \i\Wy  of  the  shadow  of  death  ?'" 
^^  I  think  that  is  often  passed  k)ng  before  we  reaeh 
death.  Tt  is  not  death  ;  it  is  only  the  shadow  of  death," 
ivphed  the  Pastor.  *'  I  think  it  means  the  hard,  dark 
strnoiile,  wlieu  we  fii'st  find  out  that  we  must  die,  and 
have  ntU  vet  reeeived  the  dying  grace  which  makes  us 
willing"  to  go."  "I  am  ghid,''  she  said,  "that  it  won't 
be  dark,  for  T  want  to  know  all;  and  when  I  get  to 
lieaveu  I  will  ask  the  Lord  to  comfort  })apa  and  mamma, 
for  I  know  that  I  shall  see  them  again.  I  am  glad  we 
were  made  poor,  for  we  would  never  have  come  to  Phila- 
delj>hia  ;  we  Mould  never  have  come  to  your  church, 
and  would  not  have  been  Christians.  Po  you  think 
the  time  will  seem  long  when  we  want  something  in 
heaven  as  it  does  here?"  ''Xo;  there  is  no  such  thing 
as  time  in  heaven.  Von  know  a  thc>usand  years  are 
but  as  a  dav  with  God;  wiiy  do  you  want  to  know?" 
'*  Because  I  want  soon  to  see  \x\\\\  and  mamma." 

The  winter  montlis  cre]>t  wearily  on,  the  shadows  of 
death  growing  darker;  her  eager  inipiiries  about  the 
home  so  near  were  pressed,  more  tVoni  anxiety  to  know 
what  awaited  her  than  from  fear  lest  she  should  be  lost 
bv  the  wav.  In  her  exhaustion  she  lay  as  one  from 
whose  bexly  the  spirit  would  go  and  return,  as  if  loth  for 
a  final  departure.  For  houi*s  she  would  be  apparently 
pulseless,  and  then  would  rouse  with  all  the  functions  of 
life  astir  air-un.  AVatehing  her  j^reparations  for  heaven 
in  her  surrounding  conditions,  we  were    reminded  of 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  19 

wliat  we  have  seen  in  hird-lil'c.  Wlicn  the  swallows 
come  out  of  their  nests,  in  the  lirst  warm  April  clays,  and 
pereh  upon  the  fence-rails,  the  old  birds  stretch  their  wings 
downward  to  their  utmost  length,  while  the  young  ones 
try  to  do  the  eame  with  tlieir  half-grown  pinions.  This 
is  repeated  every  sunny  day,  until  young  and  old  can 
stretch  their  wings  alilce,  when  all  suddenly  rise,  and 
on  outspread  pinions  soar  to  other  climes. 

Day  after  day  all  waited  to  hear  of  the  child's  release, 
but  she  linger(Hl,  as  she  said  God  was  keei)ing  her  until 
her  father  and  mother  were  willing  to  part  with  her. 
The  pastor  had  been  absent,  preaching  at  Lafayette 
College,  and  upon  entering  the  pulpit  on  the  Sabbath 
following  his  return,  found  a  note — "  Please  come  up 
and  S(5e  Fannie;  we  think  she  is  dying."  This  request 
was  complied  with  at  evening,  an  hour  or  two  before 
service.  It  had  been  a  sombre,  chilly  day,  but  now  the 
sun  had  cast  oif  the  thralldom  of  shadows,  and  was 
rejoicing  in  liis  triumph,  glorifying  the  ranks  of  cloud 
that  had  shut  him  out  all  day  from  greeting  his  king- 
dom, and  now  was  going  down  after  the  contest  in  a  sea 
of  gold. 

A  flood  of  softened  radiance  came  through  the,  open 
window  upon  the  pallid  face,  from  which  unseen  angels 
might  have  caught  the  last  smile,  and  borne  it  back  to 
God.  The  struggle  was  past,  and  the  pilgrim  was  almost 
through  the  land  of  Beulah.  She  had  talked  with  her 
parents  and  young  friends  during  the  day,  and  had 
divided  her  little  treasures,  giving  to  those  who   had 


20  MITES  A  GAINST  MIIL  IONS. 

visited  her  in  sickness,  and  ordering  others  to  be  given 
to  loved  ones  far  away.  Then  she  began  to  talk  of  her 
bank  and  its  treasure,  of  which  she  had  said  nothing 
since  the  conversation  with  her  mother  about  giving  it 
to  God  to  avoid  temptation.  She  now  said,  ^^  I  have 
been  thinking  what  to  do  with  this,  which  is  not  mine, 
but  God's,  and  which  I  think  He  wants  me  to  use  before 
I  go  away.  I  would  like  to  see  our  Pastor,  and  give  it 
to  him  to  use  for  mc."  This  was  the  occasion  of  the 
summons.  She  said,  "Ma,  I  do  not  w^ant  to  see  the 
Pastor  in  this  soiled  gown.  Would  you  put  on  my 
best  dress,  fix  my  hair,  and  put  a  clean  spread  on  the 
bed?'^  And  she  was  thus  arranged  when  the  Pastor 
came. 

She  spoke  feebly,  saying,  "  I  wanted  to  see  you  before 
I  go.  The  doctor  thinks  I  will  go  home  to-night.  He 
did  not  think  it  worth  while  to  leave  me  any  medi- 
cine. Papa  and  mamma  are  willing ;  and  I  am  so 
glad,  because  I  have  suffered  so  long,  and  know  Jesus 
so  well.  I  have  been  wdth  Him  so  much  since  I  have 
been  sick  that  I  know  Him  better  than  anybody,  and  am 
not  afraid  to  go.      But  I  want  to  hear  you  sing — 

*  'I'm  but  a  stranger  here  ; 

Heaven  is  my  home,' 

As  you  used  to  sing  it  in  the  revival,  and  then  pray  for 
me.''  Kneeling  beside  her,  holding  the  well-nigh  pulse- 
less hand,  with  lips  close  to  her  ear,  the  Pastor  tried  to 
pray,  and  is  not  ashamed  to  say  that  it  was  with  a  dry 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  21 

tongue  and  tearful  eyes.  Seeming  so  much  further  from 
God  than  she,  it  was  a  great  effort  to  commend  her  to 
God  who  was  so  much  nearer  heaven  than  himself. 
Gladly  w^ould  he  have  put  his  ear  to  her  mute  lips  and 
let  her  pray  for  him. 

After  this  prayer  she  said,  ^^  Mamma,  I  want  you  to 
get  the  money  out  of  the  bank."  This  she  did,  and 
laid  it  by  her  hand.  She  then  asked  for  her  medicine- 
box  from  the  stand  beside  her  pillow.  This  she  opened, 
and  seeing  the  powders  in  it,  said,  "  I  shall  not  want 
them,"  and,  taking  them  out,  placed  the  money  gathered 
through  years,  nearly  all  in  three-cent  pieces,  amount- 
ing to  four  dollars  and  forty-one  cents.  She  replaced 
the  lid  on  the  box,  and  with  eyes  glowing  with  heavenly 
lustre,  said,  ^^  I  want  you  to  taJce  this  money,  and  promise 
me,  so  that  when  I  am  in  heaven  I  shall  know  that  it  is 
done,  and  build  icith  it  a  church  for  poor  people  like  us.^^ 

In  her  childish  simplicity  she  thought  the  sum  suffi- 
cient. The  Pastor  was  confounded,  even  though  he 
did  not  begin  to  comprehend  the  magnitude  of  the 
promise.  He  said,  "  Four  dollars  and  forty-one 
cents  won't  build  a  church.  It  will  take  at  least 
forty  or  fifty  thousand  dollars."  She  looked  for  a 
moment  surprised  and  disappointed,  then  thought  a 
moment,  and  said,  ^^  I  will  pray  for  you.^^  And  as  she 
closed  her  eyes  he  leaned  over  her  to  hear,  but  could 
catch  only  a  word  or  two,  but  knew  it  had  been  offered 
and  accepted.     He  realized  then  the  stupendous  under- 


22 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 


taking  thus  bequeathed  to  him,  but  was  afraid  to  say 
more,  feeling  the  presence  of  God  in  that  solemn  mo- 
ment. He  rose,  took  her  by  the  hand,  saying,  "  Fannie, 
with  GofVs  help y  I  will  try.''  She  looked  satisfied,  closed 
her  eyes,  and  he  never  saw  them  open  again. 

The   following   is   a   fac-simile   of    the   legacy-box 
and  coins. 


CHAPTER   lY, 

This  pilgrim  on  her  brief  journey  bad  carried  a 
golden  candlestick,  the  light  of  which  still  shines  after 
the  light-bearer  had  been  lifted  to  her  throne.  In  the 
room,  beside  the  deserted  tabernacle  from  whence  the 
guest  had  departed,  knelt  the  stricken  mother.  This 
was  all  that  was  left  of  her  dearest  treasure,  and  she 
felt  that  it  was  no  unfaithfulness  to  her  promise  of  sub- 
mission to  God's  will,  thus  to  cling  to  the  cold  remnant 
of  that  which  had  been  given  of  Him,  for  cheer  and 
comfort  through  painful  trials,  and  which  He  had  re- 
called, that  henceforth  nothing  should  stand  between 
herself  and  Him.  The  dead  face  was  serene  and  beau- 
tiful, the  pain-marked  features  composed,  as  if  body 
and  soul  had  floated  out  into  everlasting  calm.  She 
was  dressed  in  white,  the  brown  locks,  which  had 
been  shortened  because  of  her  painful  tossings,  curled 
and  crowning  the  white  brow;  they  had  been  turned 
about  a  loving  mother's  finger,  and  preserved  the  tender 
impress  in  shining  rings.  The  cold  hands,  crossed  upon 
the  breast,  held  a  white  rose,  brought  by  a  young  com- 
panion the  rright  before.  The  vain  solicitations  of  a 
mother's  ardent  kisses  were  impetuously  applied,  as 
if  to  revivify  the  pallid  lips.  To  the  Pastor,  who 
stood  beside  her,  the  mother  exclaimed,  "This  is 
all    I   have   left   of   life ;    and   must   I    give  this   up 

too?"      He   replied,    "Yes;   it   is   dear    now,   but   it 

23 


24  MITES  A  GAINST  MILIIONS. 

will  soon  be   in  your  way."     "Don't  say  that  anything 
that  was  hers  could  ever   be   in  the  way!"     He   an- 
swered, "  I   did   not  need  to  tell  you  this.     I  should 
have  left  it  to  the  Lord  to  teach  it ;  but  it  is  an  experi- 
ence before  you,  and  when  you  come  to  it,  it  wdll  not 
be  hard.     The  death  of  the  loved  one  is  to  the  Christian 
little  more  than  a  change  of  perceptions.     It  is  a  mere 
passing  beyond  the  cognizance  of  sense.     So  long  as  this 
deserted  house  lies  before  you,  however  beautiful  and 
precious,  you  will  not  see  your  daughter.     It  is  now 
between  you  and  her.     You  must  look  for  her  where 
she  is.     A  tear  was  enough  to  dim  the  recognition  of 
our  risen  Lord  from  Mary,  who  mistook  Him  for  the 
gardener.     Sense  can  never  make  any  better  progress  in 
knowing  God,  or  those  w4io  are  present  in  Him,  than  to 
mistake  them  for  servants.     In  a  fragment  attributed 
to  Bunyan  is  this  conception  of  the  hinderances  of  grief: 
A  woman  w^as  weeping  for  her  departed  child,  refusing 
to  be  comforted,  when  an  angel  appeared  and  asked  the 
cause  of  her  tears.      She  said,  ^  Don't  you  know  that 
my  only  child  is  dead?'     He  replied,  'She  is  not  dead, 
I  can  show  you.'     And  putting  a  spy-glass  to  her  eye 
bade  her  look  ;  but  she  fretfully  said,  '  I  cannot  see  any- 
thing.'    Then  said  the  angel,  '  Wipe  the  tear  from  your 
eye,  and  you  will  see.'     So  until  we  have  put  away  the 
objects  of  sense,  and  have  shut  ourselves  in  to  faith,  we 
shall   not   be  able  to  understand.      'What  I  do  thou 
knowest  not  now,  but  shall  know  hereafter.'     When  our 
loved  ones  are  removed  from  sight,  God  compensates 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  25 

by  two  other  mediums.  Memory  becomes  the  mirror 
of  the  past,  and  faith  the  revealer  of  the  future ;  and 
through  these  nothing  comes  to  us  of  our  departed  but 
the  beautifuL  Their  sins  and  short-comings  go  into  an 
oblivion  which"  even  memory  never  enters.  ^  Blessed 
are  they  who  have  their  friends  taken  out  of  the  body 
and  enthroned  in  memor}^  Thrice  blessed  are  they 
who,  not  seeing,  believe  the  promise  of  God,  that  the 
dead  are  and  shall  6e.' "  On  the  Sabbath  afternoon 
after  her  departure,  a  service  was  held  at  the  house,  at 
which  the  few  friends  who  knew  the  family  were  pres- 
ent, consisting  of  a  part  of  the  Session  and  Sabbath - 
school  teachers;  and  on  Monday  morning  the  Pastor 
was  present  and  made  the  parting  prayer. 

The  form  of  the  dead  child  was  borne  forever  from 
our  sight,  to  its  resting-place  beside  their  dead  in  the 
church vard  of  their  once  Xew  Eno-land  home.  At 
parting  with  the  Pastor  the  mother  said,  '^  I  can  only 
thank  you  for  what  you  and  the  church  have  been  to 
us.  If  my  heart  could  speak,  I  could  give  a  more 
worthy  tribute.     I  shall  not  see  you  again." 

This  seemed  only  a  conjecture  of  present  grief,  which 
would  pass  away  when  time  and  grace  should  make  the 
world  seem  brighter.  But  it  proved  not  to  be  only  the 
prophecy  of  grief;  for  she  pined  away,  and  in  a  few 
months  she,  too,  dropped  from  the  stem  of  life_,  and  was 
laid  beside  the  one  she  loved  so  well.  Meeting  the 
father  a  few  moments  at  a  railway  station,  between  oppo- 


26  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

site  going  trains,  he   hastily  told  the  sad  story  of  how 
the  life  of  the  mother  had  ende<l. 

Years  have  passed  since,  and  it  seems  as  if  those  lives 
had  sunk  into  an  ocean,  whose  waters  had  closed  over 
them  with  not  a  bubble  to  mark  the  spot.  But  when 
mind  and  matter  leave  the  places  where  the  pure  and 
noble  have  fallen,  their  scattered  deeds  come  back,  and 
build  for  them  lasting  monuments,  whose  foundations 
rest  upon  the  immutability  of  God,  whose  tops  touch  the 
confines  of  immortality.  The  woman  who  broke  the 
alabaster  box  and  anointed  the  Saviour's  feet  stole 
silently  away  between  reproach  and  benediction.  No 
memory  survives  of  when  or  how  she  died.  But  she 
lives ;  and  by  the  command  of  Him  who  says,  *'  I  am 
alive  evermore,  and  have  the  keys  of  death  and  hell," 
she  has  an  immortality  like  a  soltaire  in  the  bosom  of 
the  everlasting  Gospel ;  for  wherever  it  shall  be 
preached  it  shall  be  told  as  a  memorial  of  her,  *'  for  she 
hath  done  what  she  could.''  And  the  life,  of  which  these 
pages  are  given  as  a  memorial,  has  also  its  glorious  record 
in  "  she  hath  done  what  she  could."  She  gave  herself 
and  her  all.  Her  grave  is  unknown  to  the  world,  like 
that  of  the  great  prophet,  wliom  God  buried  with  His 
own  hands.  But  it  was  like  shuttino^  off  the  outer 
lights,  that  the  light  of  the  camera  might  display  most 
clearly  the  one  illuminated,  chosen,  central  object  upon 
the  screen. 

No  child  of  her  age  and  circumstances  ever  lived  to  be 
so  widely  known,  whose  name  will  be  so  revered  in  the 


MITES  A  GAINS  T  MILLIONS.  2T 

work  she  has  left  iii  the  world.  No  story  of  a  single 
human  effort  has  been  so  associated  with  the  joy  of 
angels  over  the  redeemed  as  this  last  act  of  dedication. 
The  facts  seem  like  a  romance,  but  in  their  truth  they  are 
stronger  than  fiction.  Her  advent  in  our  city  for  but 
little  more  than  a  year,  driven  before  the  inexorable  hand 
of  poverty  to  sufferings  so  severe  and  trying,  is  the  dark 
background  whereon  grace  has  wrought  effects  of  won- 
drous power  and  beauty.  We  see  first  the  mother  and 
child  coming  into  the  house  of  God,  sitting  under  the 
gallery  at  night  from  a  sense  of  shame  at  the  contrast 
with  those  who  had  an  abundance,  but  who,  perhaps, 
were  less  rich  in  gratitude  and  devotion ;  then  the  child 
bringing  both  father  and  mother  to  the  communion  and 
fellowship  of  the  church ;  and  after  this  short  but  glori- 
ous work  was  done,  lying  sweetly  down  to  die,  and  in 
the  hour  of  death  starting  out  agencies  from  her  last 
heart-throbs  to  bless  as  long  as  mercy  will  plead  and 
pardon  will  be  given.  The  panorama  of  such  a  life  can 
but  lend  effect  to  the  lines  which  tell  the  wonders  of 
redemption. 


CHAPTER  y. 

This  treasure-box  and  its  covenant  was  the  burden  of 
years.  It  was  a  perplexing  problem  how  to  employ  a 
gift  so  small,  being  unable  to  see  beyond  four  dollars 
and  forty-one  cents.  Faith  had  not  been  added  as  the 
multiple  by  which  mites  are  made  to  equal  millions. 
The  Cohocksink  Church,  of  which  the  child  became  a 
member,  had  in  a  few  years  a  growth,  under  the  marvels 
of  Divine  grace,  vrhich  was  a  wonder  to  all  who  knew 
its  beginning  in  an  obscure,  stuccoed  building,  badly 
situated,  with  a  foundry  on  one  side  and  paving-stones 
and  railroad  rubbish  on  the  other.  Here  a  noble  band 
had  struggled  with  poverty,  obscurity,  and  depression 
since  1840 ;  but  hardships  had  made  them  sincere  in 
faith,  ready  for  heroic  deeds,  which  they  afterwards  per- 
formed in  the  year  1866-67,  with  sublime  labor  and 
self-denial  in  the  building  of  the  present  imposing  struc- 
ture situated  on  Franklin  Street  and  Columbia  Avenue, 
costing:  over  seventv  thousand  dollars,  a  memorial  of 
their  faith  and  energy.  It  was  a  church  that  could  be 
best  governed  by  giving  its  members  so  much  to  do  that 
there  was  no  time  for  stratagems  and  strife  if  they  had 
been  so  tempted.  Such  discipline,  so  effected,  was  the 
very  pulse  of  prosperity.  The  Sabbath-school  numbered 
for  the  year  over  a  thousand  scholars.  The  church  in- 
creased at  the  rate  of  nearly  one  hundred  members  a 
year  for  six  years,  the  church  edifice,  one  of  the  largest 
28 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  29 

in  the  city,  being  so  crowded  that  the  Session  and  Trus- 
tees had  under  consideration  the  extension  of  the  gal- 
leries around  the  interior,  a  plan  in  which  the  Pastor 
was  not  enthusiastic,  as  seven  hundred  members  are 
more  tl.an  any  Pastor  can  care  for  without  detriment  to 
either  }>eople,  health,  or  pulpit.  During  these  councils 
about  enlarging  the  building,  light  seemed  to  break  as  to 
the  disposal  of  the  child's  trust  and  the  fulfillment  of  the 
covenant  made  at  its  reception.  The  church  was  full  of 
young  life,  spoiling  for  something  to  do  that  could  be 
identified  wath  itself  as  its  own  peculiar  work.  These 
young  people  desired  to  start  a  mission,  but  this  was 
premature.  The  church  could  not  spare  them,  for  it 
was  in  its  transition,  and  the  loss  of  so  much  young 
blood  might  weaken  its  activities.  Some  of  the  people 
became  fretted  at  what  seemed  to  be  unreasonable  per- 
sistence, and  a  breach  was  apparent,  and  growing  wider. 
The  Pastor  realized  the  dangers,  feeling  it  perilous  to 
go  against  the  conservative  and  thoughtful  element; 
but,  if  possible,  more  perilous  to  be  separated  from 
fifteen  or  twenty  of  his  most  promisiug  young  men,  for 
any  pastor  is  superannuated,  even  in  the  noontide  of  his 
life,  who  permits  the  ardor,  strength,  and  love  of  young 
manhood  and  womanhood  to  fall  from  him.  To  avert 
this  peril  he  promised,  if  they  would  stay  and  work  with 
the  church  until  its  future  under  God  was  secure,  and  it 
should  be  recovered  from  the  financial  strain  it  had 
been  under,  that  he  would  see  that  they  should  have  a 
place  and  help  in  their  wish  to  found  and  build  a  mission. 


80  MITES  A  GAINST  MILL  IONS. 

The  first  step  to  this  end  was  the  securing  from  the 
Central  Presbytery  (O.  S.)  the  territory,  then  but  sparsely 
settled,  ^vest  of  Ninth  Street,  east  of  Broad  Street,  and 
north  of  Columbia  Avenue  as  a  missionary  field  for  the 
Cohocksink  Church.  The  next  step  was,  he  hoped,  to 
be  the  solution  of  the  difficulty  between  the  officers  of 
the  church  and  the  young  men,  now  fast  culminating. 
To  avoid  also  the  expedient  of  enlarging  the  mother- 
church,  and  for  the  appropriation  of  the  sacred  legacy, 
which  was  becoming  a  chronic  care,  the  Pastor  pui*chased 
the  lot  of  ground  northeast  corner  of  Broad  and  Dia- 
mond Streets,  taking  the  individual  responsibility  to 
avoid  any  church  complications  Avhich  might  arise  if 
purchased  by  the  congregation  or  tlieir  Trustees.  The 
purpose  of  this  was  to  get  the  church,  which  had,  at 
this  time,  almost  boundless  capacity  and  willingness, 
rightly  directed,  to  erect  one  story  of  a  permanent  build- 
ing, finishing  it  gradually  with  such  additional  help  as 
could  be  secured  outside,  and,  at  its  completion,  to  pro- 
pose to  the  mother-church  to  send  out  a  colony  to  oc- 
cu2)y  the  place,  one  of  the  best,  prospectively,  and  is 
now,  in  many  respects,  in  the  city,  the  pastor  going 
with  the  colony  or  remaining  with  the  churcli  as  Pres- 
bytery should  think  best. 

The  prospect  of  thus  sending  uut  a  church,  free  from 
debt,  of  young  people  full  of  zeal  and  intelligence,  under 
God^s  favor,  was  a  source  of  great  liappiness.  But  by 
succeeding  events  the  purpose  of  thus  disposing  of  the 
covenant  trust  was  knocked  into  the  very  bosom  of  '<\\\ 
uncertainty  that  well-nigh  reached  des})air. 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  31 

The  last  year  of  the  pastorate  had  its  occasional  fore- 
bodings of  disagreement  between  the  young  men  and  the 
older  ones  of  the  church ;  the  breach  seemed  to  be  widen- 
ing, and  it  was  impossible  to  decide  against  either,  for 
they  were  both  conscientiously  doing  what  they  thought 
was  for  the  glory  of  God.  The  services  of  the  Week  of 
Prayer  developed  unusual  religious  interest,  which  cul- 
minated in  one  of  those  memorable  revivals  with  which, 
through  nearly  seven  years,  God  had  owned  and  crowned 
the  faith  and  labors  of  this  people. 

At  the  close  of  the  long  protracted  services,  during 
the  serious  illness  of  the  Pastor,  a  congregational  meet- 
ing was  held,  in  which  the  latent  spirit  of  impatience, 
with  the  official  membership  of  the  church  specially, 
became  apparent — some  of  the  younger  men  taking  the 
opportunity  to  nominate  Trustees  in  sympathy,  as  they 
supposed,  with  their  purposes.  Other  evidences  of  coming 
defection  between  the  parties  appeared,  which  seemed 
to  subvert  all  the  prospective  plans  for  the  building  of 
the  new  church.  These  little  disturbances,  which  in 
health  woukl  only  have  been  warnings  to  prudence, 
preyed  upon  the  mind  and  spirits  of  the  Pastor;  and 
this  was  intensified  by  the  forebodings  of  those  A\'hose 
love  for  the  church  was  more  intense  than  their  forti- 
tude in  resisting  and  correcting  what  could  have  been 
obviated.  During  this  illness,  two  of  the  Elders  and 
two  of  the  Trustees  in  person  came  to  consult  ^vith 
reference  to  the  pastorate  of  the  Alexander  Church,  then 
vacant  and  in  a  great  financial  crisis.     The  resignation 


32  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

of  the  previous  pastor  had  created  some  feeling,  on  ac- 
count of  which  and  other  troubles  many  were  leaving 
and  giving  up  their  pcAvs  in  the  church.  It  was  also  rep- 
resented that  the  Mercantile  Library  Association  was 
about  to  foreclose  a  mortgage  of  $2G,000,  if  the  church 
did  not  get  a  Pastor  and  give  signs  of  relieving  itself 
from  debt.  Consequently  the  property,  which  had  cost 
nearly  $100,000,  was  in  peril  of  going  into  the  hands  of 
the  Papists — a  motive  which  would  never  have  weight 
again,  having  by  experience  come  to  believe  that  Prot- 
estants who  permit  themselves  to  be  so  overwhelmed 
with  debt  might  be  taught  a  profitable  though  painful 
lesson  in  seeing  the  wiser  Catholics  enjoying  the  fruit 
of  their  folly. 

The  Alexander  Church  was  the  crippled  child  of  the 
Presbyterian  household,  claiming  sympathy  by  its 
chronic  troubles.  Sentimentalism  ruled  the  hour  with  the 
Pastor,  and  consent  was  given  to  the  consideration  of  a 
call,  thenight  after  which  the  tide  of  events  changed  in  the 
Cohocksink  Church  ;  but  the  Pastor  felt  compromised, 
and  could  do  no  better  than  throw  the  responsibility  on 
Presbytery,  which,  under  the  entreaties  of  a  faithful 
church,  refused  to  make  the  change.  But  the  Alex- 
ander Church  was  in  process  of  dissolution,  and  despair- 
ing; and  Presbytery  reopened  the  case,  at  the  advice  of 
Pev.  George  Musgrave,  D.D.,  and  others,  under  the 
eloquent  pleas  of  Dr.  Puel  Stewart  and  the  late  "VYilliam 
J.  McElroy.  Of  the  latter  it  is  but  just  to  record  the 
universal  judgment  of  all  who  heard,  that  his  was  one 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  33 

of  the  most  chaste,  feeling,  and  effective  speeches  in  be- 
half of  the  Alexander  Church  ever  heard  in  any  eccle- 
siastical court.     Elder  George  Gabel,  who  was  pleading 
for  the  Cohocksink  Church  with  all  the  force  of  facts, 
power,  and  fervor,  said  only  a  few  days  ago,  "  I  was  con- 
founded by  that  speech.    I  found  every  argument  turned 
against  me,  and  myself  convinced  by  its  eloquence,  pathos, 
and  pov\Gr.''     The  allegory  of  the  shepherdless  lamb, 
by  which  he  compared  the  condition  of  the  two  churches, 
was  powerful  in  its  influence.  Kotwithstanding  this,  Pres- 
bytery was  loth    to   rend  such   ties,  and  it  was  only 
carried  in  favor  of  the  Alexander  Church  by  a  single 
vote.     This  put  the  treasure  and  covenant  to  build  a 
church  all  adrift.     The  change  was  one  of  great  trial. 
Debt  upon  the  house  of  God  is  the  very  emissary  of 
Satan;  both  pastor  and  people  are  under  the  eclipse  of 
a  chronic  He,  professing  to  have  given  the  house  they 
worship  in  to  God,  while  the  wrongs  of  unpaid  laborers 
cry  to  heaven.     Perdition  never  invented  a  spear  more 
poignant  with  which  to  pierce  the  heart  of  the  cause  of 
Christ.     A  church  in  debt  is  under  more  or  less  hypoc- 
risy that  is  alike  demoralizing  to  Pastor  and  people. 
Debts  must  be  covered;  for  if  they  are  known,  ^^ small- 
fox^^  might  as  well  be  written  over  the  door — the  rich 
will  not  come  in,  and  the  poor  cannot  pay  them.     Pews 
will  go  uiilet,  and  as  the  pastor  always  pays  the  interest 
on  the  debt,  he  is  usually  blamed  if  he  don't  pay  the 
debt  out-right,  the  expectation  being  that  he  will  make 

himself  so  popular  that  surplus  pew-rents  will  clear  the 

3 


34  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

debt,  and  the  church  become  a  paying  institution  in- 
stead of  a  living  sacrifice  with  constant  thank-offerings 
on  the  altar  of  God,  a  daily  oblation  of  self  and  all  that 
self  possesses. 

In  a  church  burdened  by  debt  the  language  of  simu- 
lation will  become,  unconsciously,  the  daily  vernacular. 
Somethino;  must  be  forever  hidden.  If  Pastor  or  Session 
are  asked  by  Presbytery  how  the.  church  is  progressing, 
they  have  to  fence  or  walk  around  something,  or,  as  a 
noted  piistor  of  this  city  replied,  when  called  on  to  say 
if  his  salary  had  been  paid  up,  that  his  church  was  in  a 
'^ 'promising  condition.''  The  people  are  also  at  a  disad- 
vantage, knowing  the  church  to  be  in  a  chronic  agony, 
as  if  a  grain  of  sand  were  in  its  eye,  because  the  truth  will 
keep  people  away  or  give  rival  churches  the  advantage  of 
their  misfortune.  Or  if  they  are  in  a  bad  humor  they 
will  exaggerate  its  distresses;  or,  if  piqued  at  the  Pastor, 
will  censure  him  for  mishaps  which  common  honesty 
would  trace  to  the  leprous-spot,  churcJi  debt.  It  is 
doubtful  if  one  of  the  inspired  Apostles  could  sustain 
himself  in  a  church  fifty  thousand  dollars  in  debt  for  ten 
or  fifteen  years,  with  all  the  hateful  complications,  unless 
he  were  sustained  by  the  miraculous  power  of  God. 
There  is  but  little  vital  piety  where  the  shadows  of  debt 
forever  chill.  The  piety  that  does  live  in  it  is  prone  to  be 
crabbed  and  cheerless.  Debt  is  a  clog  on  the  soul,  a 
bit\:k:  on  all  progress,  alike  hateful  to  God  and  man. 
'PiiQ  .hange  to  this  state  of  affairs  was  from  sunshine 
mr,\s  stiadow,  the  depression  lying  alike  upon  Pastor  and 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  35 

people.  The  latter  from  long  habit  of  expecting  failure 
had  become  self-distrustful.  Great  promises  had  been 
made  of  outside  helj),  which  are  so  often  deceptive. 
There  is  a  great  multitude  always  ready  to  assist  in 
getting  a  pastor  by  telling  of  the  number  of  pews  that 
would  instantly  be  taken  if  he  would  take  the  place. 
These,  as  is  their  inevitable  custom,  were  not  on  the  spot, 
but  in  their  stead  there  came  with  the  Pastor,  mostly 
from  the  Cohocksink  Church,  a  few  substantial  people, 
to  join  the  faithful  remnant  already  therein,  who, 
knowing  all  about  the  situation,  came  to  help,  and 
attested  their  fidelity  to  Christ  by  the  thousands  they 
placed  in  the  empty  treasury.  Other  comj^ensations 
also  came  in  the  form  of  a  most  Godly  and  faithful 
Session;  and  the  church,  from  less  than  one  hundred 
and  seventy  members,  increased  in  numbers  and  piety. 
The  Elders,  in  their  pleas  before  Presbytery,  said  the 
church  had  tried  everything  to  extricate  itself  but  piety, 
and  this  was  their  hope,  the  test  of  their  salvation. 
Officers  and  people  fell  into  the  habit  of  saying,  "  If  God 
would  give  us  a  revival  we  could  pay  the  debt." 
God  accepted  the  conditions,  and  during  the  first  winter 
there  was  a  remarkable  work  of  grace,  in  which  about 
one  hundred  and  twenty  members  were  added  to  the 
church. 

After  this  the  people  were  reminded  of  their  engage- 
ment, and  faithfully  fulfilled  it.  Some  of  their  self- 
denials  would  read  like  romances.  About  thirty-five 
thousand  dollars  were  raised  in  the  fearful  financial  crisis 


36  MITES  A  GAINST  MIIIIONS. 

which  began  with  the  failure  of  Jay  Cook.  In  the  in- 
terim between  1873  and  1876  the  additions  to  the  church 
amounted  to  over  three  hundred ;  and  all  thi§  time  the 
church  was  under  the  strain  of  paying  the  debt  and 
making  repairs,  which  had  been  neglected  for  twelve 
years,  amounting  to  about  seventeen  thousand  dollars 
additional.  These  details  are  to  show  the  line  and  steps 
by  which  the  providence  of  God  brought  about  the  ful- 
fillment of  the  engagement  made  so  long  before. 

In  all  those  years  that  promise  was  a  heavy  weight; 
dreams  of  neglect  and  dread  warnings  haunted  the  sleep- 
ing hours.  It  seemed  at  times  as  if  the  Angel  of  the 
Covenant  was  shadowing  every  step,  saying,  ^^  Go  up 
and  build  the  promised  house  of  God?'^ 

Every  endeavor  to  interest  the  wealthy  was  without 
avail,  until  one  day,  while  alone  with  an  old  friend  and 
parishioner,  tlie  late  Hon.  Henry  T.  Blow,  who  had 
been  a  co-laborer  in  the  building  of  the  Carondalct 
Avenue  Church  in  St.  Louis.  Almost  incidentally,  the 
story  of  the  little  box,  the  life,  death,  and  covenant  to 
the  child  who  gave  it  was  tokl.  The  tears  came  to  his 
eyes,  and  he  showed  deep  emotion — a  surprise  to  us,  for 
it  had  been  told  before,  and  had  brought  no  tears  to  any 
eye.  He  said,  "  Keep  your  engagement  to  that  precious 
child.  Don't  think  of  giving  it  up,  and  you  may  draw 
on  me  foF  one  thousand  dollars  as  soon  as  you  begin." 
If  a  voice  of  approval  had  come  from  the  skies,  it  could 
not  have  been  a  greater  inspiration.  It  was  from  a 
friend  whom  we  had  learned  to  trust,  and  whose  word 
was  his  best  security. 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  37 

He  was  not  an  emotional  person,  though  tender- 
hearted ;  and  it  was  the  first  intimation  of  the  marvel- 
ous power  of  the  story  to  break  the  heart.  These  tears 
over  its  pathos  were  a  revelation.  It  had  seemed  before 
as  if  we  had  in  this  incident  and  covenant  been  on  the 
Mount  alone  with  God,  hearing  words  not  to  be  uttered ; 
but  here  was  an  unexpected  lesson  of  success,  the  first 
manifestation  of  the  power  of  the  story  over  which  mul- 
titudes have  wept,  and  which  has  brought  thousands  of 
dollars  from  the  pockets  of  saints  and  sinners  in  this 
and  in  foreign  lands. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

From  this  day  the  irresistible  impulse  was  fixed,  and 
each  day  of  delay  was  a  torment.  Sometimes  the  shad- 
ows in  illness  would  gather,  which  would  be  intensified 
by  the  fear  that  life  would  end  with  the  pledge  unre- 
deemed. The  promise  of  the  thousand  dollars  was  con- 
strued into  a  Divine  intimation  to  commence  the  work ; 
but  this  proved  a  phantom ;  for  the  thousand  dollars  was 
lost  by  the  sudden  death  of  the  friend  who  promised  it, 
before  any  steps  had  been  taken  by  which  it  could  have 
been  a  legal  claim  on  his  estate.  But  he  intended  it,  and 
it  was  the  first  hope;  and  darkness  irradiated  by  dying 
meteors  is  better  than  no  light  at  all. 

The  thread  of  the  history  requires  a  return  to  the 
affairs  of  the  Alexander  Church.  The  years  of  that 
financial  crisis  which  swept  our  country  were  sad  and 
trying  ones.  Families  who  had  lived  well  on  comfort- 
able salaries  were  reduced.  Many  pews  were^given  up  by 
removals  of  members  to  places  of  cheaper  rents.  Re- 
citals of  poverty  were  on  every  side.  Members  who 
had  assumed  obligations  toward  tlie  liquidation  of  the 
debt  Avere  depleted  by  their  large  subscriptions.  Pas- 
tor and  people  were  crippled  alike  in  the  burdens  as- 
sumed in  those  trying  eight  years,  and  some  never 
recovered  fi'oni  it.  The  promised  church,  whose  record 
w^as    in    lieaven,    was,    however,    a   daily  and   nightly 

thought,  often  shadowed  necessarily  by  half  despair, 

38 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  39 

In  the  beginning  of  1876  Mr.  Moody  held  in  this  city 
his  revival  meetings,  and,  being  on  the  Executive  Com- 
mittee, the  opportunity  was  had  of  talking  with  him 
upon  the  all-absorbing  theme,  as  to  how  to  dispose  of 
this  obligation,  for  it  was  becoming  a  matter  of  fear. 

He  was  strong  in  his  convictions  and  the  expression 
of  them  as  to  the  duty  of  fulfilling  the  promise.  So 
were  many  others.  Counsel  was  not  wanting;  but  help 
out  of  the  dilemma  was  not  apparent.  Mr.  Moody's 
counsel  was,  '^  Have  faith,  and  take  the  first  step."  But 
the  troublesome  question  was  still,  How  far  can  one  go 
in  such  an  undertaking  without  money?  It  was  the 
faith  that  can  coin  money  out  of  itself  that  was  needed. 
Howe^^er,  the  conversation  and  advice  deepened  the  pur- 
pose, and  this  was  as  much  needed  as  money. 

During  the  early  months  of  the  year  1876  the  Alex- 
ander Church  was  again  blessed  by  the  presence  of  the 
Spirit  of  God;  and  the  faith  of  her  members,  wearied 
by  the  financial  adversities  of  years,  was  lifted  into  a 
free  and  happy  life,  for  it  was  the  first  time  since  the 
organization  of  the  church,  nearly  twenty  years  before, 
that  it  had  ever  truthfully  been  said  that  it  was  free 
from  debt  for  any  of  the  three  edifices  which  had  shel- 
tered it  in  its  career  of  vicissitudes.  All  this  and  Jesus 
Christ  was  indeed  a  blessed  boon.  A  large  -number 
were  added  to  the  church — nearly  one  hundred.  The 
hearts  of  all  were  gladdened,  and  as  a  blessed  result  a 
large  company  of  young  men  were  converted  and  re- 
vived. 


40  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

The  swelling  of  this  River  of  Life  had  lifted  many  dry 
and  lifeless  hidks  that  liad  rested  at  high  water  mark  from 
some  former  freshet,  and  they  wTre  set  afloat  again,  and 
needed  to  be  kept  in  motion  by  plenty  of  hard  work  for 
Christ,  and  they  were  anxious  for  it.  The  Spirit  of  God  at 
this  time  reached  also  the  hearts  of  men  and  women  of 
advanced  years  and  of  wealth  and  influence.  Some  de- 
gree of  that  blessed  experience  was  once  expressed  by 
a  young  disciple  who,  joining  the  Baptist  Church,  was 
about  to  be  immersed.  In  process  of  disrobing  him  pre- 
paratory to  the  sacrament,  one  of  the  brethren  was  about 
to  take  his  pocket-book  lest  the  bills  might  be  spoiled 
by  the  wetting.  Perceiving  it,  he  said,  ^'Let  it  alone; 
I  want  my  pocket-book  to  be  baptized  as  well  as  my- 
self." So  we  had  a  few  pocket-books  bajDtized,  or  re- 
baptized  ;  and  with  the  company  of  young  men,  and  a 
lively  sense  of  the  mercies  of  God,  it  was  proposed  as  a 
thank  oiferingc  for  deliverance  from  debt  and  restoration 
to  self-respect,  and  for  the  blessed  presence  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  to  make  a  departure  from  the  previous  melan- 
choly march,  in  which  a  feeling  of  financial  agony  hung, 
like  a  wilted  wreath  upon  a  corjjee,  ever  present. 

A  meetiuir  of  the  Session  was  called  to  discuss  the 
subject,  and  a  blessed  one  it  was,  as  were  all  the  meet- 
ings of  this  most  worthy  body.  It  was  the  time  of  the 
weary  cry,  "Watchman,  what  of  the  night?"  The 
answer  came,  "  Morning  cometh ;"  and  light  broke, 
transfiguring  the  covenant  over  which  the  years  had 
rolled  their  shadows.     The  members  of  the  Session  were 


MITES  A  GAINS  T  Mill  IONS.  41 

all  present,  and  after  a  general  expression  of  gratitude 
for  the  hopeful  condition  of  the  church,  the  Pastor  told, 
the  first  time  in  Session,  the  story  of  the  treasure  given 
to  his  care,  displaying  the  coins,  which  drew  upon  the 
hearts  of  the  Session  at  once,  and  a  resolve  was  made 
and  recorded  to  found  as  soon  as  possible  a  mission- 
school,  with  the  hope  that  in  the  future  it  might  become 
a  church — to  be  the  realization  of  the  child's  request 
and  the  Pastor's  engagement  to  carry  it  out.  Before 
it  was  made  a  matter  of  record  it  was  the  subject  of 
prayer  and  thanksgiving,  in  which  the  late  Elder 
McElroy  led  in  a  prayer  peculiar  to  the  man,  which 
told  of  his  nearness  to  God.  On  motion  of  Elder 
Stewart  the  following  preamble  and  resolution  were 
adopted : — 

"  In  view  of  the  temporal  and  spiritual  condition  of 
our  church,  and  of  the  necessity  of  having  some  outside 
Christian  work  for  the  large  number  of  young  men  in 
our  communion,  and  in  gratitude  to  God  for  Plis  mer- 
cies to  us,  Therefore,  Resolved,  That  it  is  the  sense  of  this 
Session  that  some  missionary  enterprise  be  started  in 
connection  with  our  church,  and  that  we  believe  the 
northern  portion  of  our  city  to  be  the  proper  place 
therefor,  and  that  we  will  start  in  this  work  at  the 
earliest  moment  practicable. 

"w.  J.  Mcelroy,  cierk:' 

This  was  the  first  step  of  the  undertaking. 
In  recounting  the  motives  urged  on  us  by  trustful 
hearts  it  is  but  just  to  mention  Mr.  Adam  Warthman, 


42  MITES  A  GAINST  MILIIONS. 

of  whose  household  the  Pastor  was  a  member.  The 
subject  often  came  up,  with  ils  duties,  fears,  and  hopes. 
His  advice  was  always  to  go  forward,  which  was  one 
day  emphasized  when  the  endeavor  to  build  a  wooden 
building  was  being  discussed.  He  said,  ^'Go  on  with  it; 
and  I  will  23ut  the  roof  on  for  you,"  which  was  faith 
manifested  in  works,  which  we  accepted  as  the  genuine 
article.  This  eno;ao;ement  was  fulfilled  in  a  short  time 
after;  and  not  onlv  this,  but  many  more,  as  he  and  his 
family  were  among  the  first  workers  and  givers  and  in 
endeavors  and  sacrifices  amounting  to  thousands,  until 
thev  have  the  joy  of  seeing  their  brightest  liopes  for  the 
future  of  this  work  more  than  realized. 


CHAPTER   VII. 

The  locality  for  the  proposed  mission  was  now  the 
important  question,  as  it  had  to  be  determined  with  refer- 
ence to  several  conditions.  If  to  be  under  the  care  and 
carried  on  by  the  Alexander  Church,  it  should  be  as 
near  as  possible.  The  territory  of  the  church  was  very 
limited,  not  only  by  the  close  proximity  of  five  other 
Presbyterian  churches,  but  by  a  Congregational  church 
also,  on  the  opposite  corner  of  the  square,  which  in 
Philadelphia  draws  nearly  all  its  support  from  Presby- 
terians. There  was  but  one  outlet,  and  this  was  north- 
ward. The  ground  was  diligently  traversed  by  Pastor 
and  Elders,  by  moonlight  and  daylight.  The  Pastor 
and  Elder  Thissell  explored  every  available  place  one 
night  until  midnight.  The  young  men  soon  cauglit  the 
spirit  of  the  Session,  and  evinced  the  greatest  enthusiasm 
in  the  search,  especially  among  those  who  had  main- 
tained a  most  interesting  prayer-meeting  for  more  than 
two  years.  The  Presbytery  was  made  acquainted  with 
this  purpose,  and  location  and  permission  to  build  by 
their  authority  was  asked ;  but  the  mention  of  it  devel- 
oped antagonism.  A  judicious  committee  was  appoint- 
ed to  determine  the  locality,  which  soon  reported  in 
favor  of  Eighteenth  Street  and  Montgomery  Avenue, 
or  as  near  it  as  ground  could  be  secured.  There  was 
sufficient  reason  for  care  in  the  location  of  new  churches 

in  the  position  into  which  the  union  of  th^  two  branches 

43 


44  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

of  the  Church  had  brought  us.  In  the  days  of  their 
controversies  churches  had  been  located,  if  not  to  thwart 
each  other,  certainly  without  regard  to  each  other's 
future,  and  without  the  least  indication  that  they  would 
ever  be  united :  so  at  the  union  we  found  nianv  of  our 
churches  crowded  together  in  destructive  nearness.  As  a 
result,  some  became  extinct,  some  have  been  wronged, 
and  it  were  better  if  others  were  extinct  also.  The  Pres- 
bytery had  come  to  an  understanding  that  new  churches 
should  not  be  located  nearer  each  other  than  five  squares. 
The  locality  determined  upon  by  the  committee  was 
about  half  a  square  short  of  the  one  located  at  Twenty- 
first  and  Columbia  Avenue.  It  is  but  just  to  the  Ses- 
sion to  say  that  they  desired  it  a  square  further  north, 
but  a  street  railway  depot  barred  the  ofie  side,  and  a 
disagreement  between  two  landholders  regarding  the 
squaring  of  a  triangular  lot  prevented  a  choice  of  the 
other  corner.  So  the  question  resolved  itself  into  going 
where  the  committee  of  Presbytery  recommended,  or  to 
abandon  the  effort  altogether,  for  there  was  no  other 
locality  where  a  mission  of  the  Alexander  Church  could 
be  cared  for.  Considerable  opposition  manifested  itself 
in  the  Presbytery,  but  it  was  harmonized  by  the  weight 
and  judgment  of  the  committee,  and  the  admirable 
speech  and  management  of  Dr.  Ruel  Stewart,  a  member 
of  the  Session.  The  report  of  the  committee  was  almost, 
if  not  entirely,  unanimous,  and  another  important  ad- 
vance in  the  unfolding  of  God's  purpose,  as  it  seemed, 
was  taken. 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  45 

The  locality  selected  by  the  Presbytery  was  a  brick- 
yard, covered  with  sheds  and  kilns,  which  was  purchased 
at  $14,500,  the  seller  making  a  donation  of  $500. 
Thirty-five  hundred  dollars  was  paid  by  the  Pastor  and 

a  member  of  the  Alexander  Church,  named  , 

who  pr  )fessed  great  interest  in  the  undertaking,  and  a 
mortgage  assumed  of  $11,000,  the  title  being  in  the 
Pastor's  name.  The  half  now  occupied  by  the  church 
was  jjlaced  at  the  value  of  $7000,  and  a  mortgage  ex- 
ecuted representing  this  sum  was  placed  on  record  and 
held  so  as  to  have  it  a  subsisting  lien  ahead  of  all  other 
encumbrances  or  liens  which  might  attach  during  the 
erection  of  the  church  building,  the  other  half  being  held 

by  the  Pastor  and ,  with  the  undei^standing  that 

any  value  it  might  gain  should  accrue  to  the  benefit  of  the 
church,  A  declaratory  deed  was  executed  to  the  Ses- 
sion of  the  Alexander  Church,  drawn  by  the  late  Elder 
McElroy,  one  of  the  most  eminent  attorneys  in  the  City 
of  Philadelphia.  The  title  to  the  cluu^ch  lot  was  as- 
signed to  the  Pastor,  and  tlie  mortgage,  representing  the 
purchase-money  of  the  church  part  —  seven  thousand 

dollars — to ,  in  the  conviction  that  his  professed 

interest  in  the  work  would  make  it  safe;  but  he  con- 
verted it  to  his  own  use,  and  set  up  a  fraudulent  claim 
that  it  was  his  own — that  in  a  private  transaction  it 
had  been  given  him  in  settlement — w^hich  led  to  a  tor- 
menting equity  suit,  lasting  more  than  a  year,  in  which 
tlie  church  owes  an  obligation  beyond  money  to  Judge 
Porter,' District-Attorney  Graham,  and  Attorney  Roberts, 


46  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS, 

who  labored  to  bring  the  suit  to  a  close  without  other 
compensation  than  convictions  of  duty  in  a  cause  that 
was  suffering  wrong.  After  all  the  time  and  expense, 
it  was  found  advisable  to  effect  a  compromise,  the 
defendant  beino-  insolvent,  and  unwillino;  and  uuiiblo  to 
re-imburse  the  person  into  whose  hands  he  had  given  the 
mortgage  as  a  collateral.  The  possible  delay  and  the 
fixed  purpose  of  the  defendant  to  continue  his  unjustifi- 
able contest,  and  the  interference  of  this  outstanding 
claim  with  the  progress  of  the  work  and  the  securing  of 
contributions,  forced  a  compromise.  It  was  finally  set- 
tled by  the  attorneys  at  a  heavy  loss  to  the  Pastor — 
between  two  and  four  thousand  dollars.  This  compli- 
cation ended  years  after  the  beginning  of  the  work, 
and  has  been  recorded  here  as  one  of  the  many  obsta- 
cles that  were  surmounted. 

Immediately  after  the  deeds  were  executed,  it  was 
determined  that  the  work  should  be  undertaken  by 
building  a  wooden  chapel.  In  the  old  Thirteenth 
Street  Railroad  depot,  which  had  been  the  place  of  the 
Moody  and  Sankey  meetings,  were  offered  at  auction 
the  flooring  of  \\\q  entire  building,  of  new  white-pine 
boards,  and  about  eleven  thousand  chairs.  Gaining 
access  before  the  sale,  measurements  were  made  of  a 
section  between  pillars,  by  which  an  average  by  feet  of 
value  was  made.  Other  bidders  were  generally  in  the 
dark  about  the  quantity,  which  appeared  less  than  it 
really  was.  The  section  measured  contained  over  eleven 
thousand  feet  of  lumber,  for  all  practical  purposes  cus  good 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  47 

as  new.  This  was  purchased,  and  five  hundred  chairs  at 
twenty-five  cents  each.  This  was  the  first  financial  step 
in  the  work.  The  lumber  was  taken  to  the  ground  and 
the  chairs  to  the  cellar  of  the  Alexander  Church,  and  the 
first  service  rendered  in  this  work  was  by  the  "praying 
band"  of  young  men.  The  chairs  had  never  been 
painted.  They  begged  and  bought  the  paint,  and  in 
the  night  painted  all  of  them,  making  them  ready  for 
use  before  the  place  was  ready  for  them.  This  zeal  of 
the  comj)any  of  young  Christians  struck  the  key-note 
of  nearly  two  years'  unparalleled  success.  Some  of 
them  dropped  out  as  laggards  in  the  Christian  work, 
but  most  of  them  have  been  noble  workers  ever  since. 
Some  have  wrought  with  us  since  1876,  and  are  still 
our  strength  and  hope,  and  some  have  "fallen  asleep." 

In  order  to  make  place  for  the  proposed  wooden 
building,  the  former  lessees,  who  had  a  brick-yard  on 
the  ground  purchased,  were  in  great  distress,  for  they 
were  poor  men,  and  their  all  was  there,  and  it  was  too 
late  in  the  spring  to  fit  up  a  new  yard,  and  if  they  gave 
this  up  it  seemed  like  falling  into  starvation  outright. 
They  plead  for  the  undisturbed  use  of  the  ground  for 
the  year,  oifering  a  good  rent.  One  of  them  was  a 
Protestant,  the  other  a  Papist — an  Irishman — but  they 
were  ready  and  willing  men,  and  it  was  hard  to  dis- 
possess them.  One  night  the  thought  came,  as  in  a 
dream,  that  the  first  step  in  such  an  eifort  for  the  poor 
ought  not  to  be  taken  in  the  oppression  of  the  poor,  even 
if  it  were  just  and  equitable,  and  a  voice  seemed  to  say. 


48  MITES  A  GAINS  T  MILL  IONS. 

"There  is  room;  yet  there  is  room."  Next  morning, 
at  seven  o'clock,  being  on  the  ground,  and  the  troubled 
men  also,  one  of  them  said,  "  I  have  been  thinking  how 
we  can  get  over  the  difficulty.  We  will  tear  down  the 
corner  kiln,  to  make  room,  and  if  you  will  permit  us  to 
use  the  rest  we  will  not  burn  brick  on  Sunday,  and 
will  put  everything  in  order  on  Saturday  night,  and 
v/ill  watch  tlie  chapel,  that  the  boys  may  not  break  the 
glass/^  The  last  service  was  never  needed,  for  the 
glass  was  never  broken ;  the  boys,  from  the  beginning, 
claimed  it  as  their  own,  as  did  the  entire  community, 
watching  over  it  and  the  material  for  construction  until 
this  time,  so  that  scarcely  ten  dollars'  worth  of  material 
Avas  stolen  in  five  years.  The  brick-makers  were  per- 
mitted to  stay  for  two  summers  without  rent,  and  this 
generosity  out  of  our  own  poverty  was  more  than  repaid, 
as  later  one  of  the  most  eventful  chapters  of  this  history 
will  show.  The  kiln  w^as  immediately  removed,  and  a 
space  of  thirty  by  seventy-six  feet  cleared  for  occupancy. 
That  day  a  young  man  came  to  the  study,  rejiresenting 
that  he  had  been  awakened  from  a  thoughtless  life  in 
the  Moody  meetings;  that  he  was  a  child  of  Presby- 
terian parents  in  Ireland,  and  had  been  baptized  by  Dr. 
John  Hall,  of  New  York  City.  He  represented  that 
he  had  been  without  food  all  day,  and  wanted  work  as 
carpenter.  As  providences  were  looked  for  as  the  only 
way  out  of  a  desperate  undertaking  in  building  a  church 
from  four  dollars  and  forty-one  cents,  he  was  em- 
ployed, and  he  rendered  some  good  service,  although 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  49 

his  subsequent  conduct  indicated  that  Satan  had  man- 
aged that  providence.  He  brought  two  others,  who  were 
being  supported  by  the  liberality  of  Mr.  William  Shoe- 
maker, who  had  built  a  house  and  fed  six  or  eight  of 
his  kind,  whose  chief  recommendation  to  his  charity  was 
tliat  they  were  out  of  everything  except  their  ability  to 
tell  of  their  wondrous  conversions  at  the  Moody  meet- 
ings, the  only  fact  in  their  existence  worthy  of  record,  as 
they  were  all  great  frauds,  and  most  of  them  thieves; 
so  the  surroundings  of  the  Cross  were  again  brought  in- 
to painful  observation.  . 

The  great  hinderances  in  the  work  were  want  of  faith 
and  want  of  money,  terrific  storms  which  raged  almost 
nightly,  and  too  much  advice.  The  Prince  of  the  power 
of  the  air  seemed  set  against  it  from  the  first,  sweeping 
down  the  frail  structure  at  most  unexpected  times. 
What  had  been  lifted  up  in  the  day  would  frequently 
be  demolished  at  night. 

At  one  o'clock  one  morning,  a  storm  was  heard  howl- 
ing, bent  on  mischief.  The  chapel  was  about  half 
boarded  in,  and  the  first  thought  was  for  it.  So,  rising, 
and  walking  about  a  mile  alone  through  the  storm,  the 
Pastor  found  the  structure  hanging,  as  it  seemed,  by  a 
nail,  and  the  work  of  weeks  on  the  brink  of  ruin. 
A  prop  was  put  under,  at  great  personal  peril,  in  time 
to  save  it  from  utter  collapse;  and  the  hours  of  the  night 
were  spent  in  making  it  secure  against  further  danger. 

Hinderances  of  almost  every  kind  beset  the  progress 

of  the  work  almost  to  its  completion. 
4 


50  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

There  were  a  marvelous  number  of  wiseacres,  proph- 
ets of  evil,  j)eople  who  would  make  untiring  efforts  to 
convince  one  that  he  was  a  fool;  instant  in  season  and 
out  of  season,  with  the  faithfulness  of  "Insurance 
Agents.'^  These  spent  every  leisure  moment  in  deliv- 
ering their  oracles,  and,  failing  to  move  the  head,  they 
would  beset  the  workmen,  persuading  them  to  do  the 
very  things  they  were  forbidden  to  do.  The  veritable 
modern  representatives  of  Sanballat  and  his  crowd,  who 
discouraged  the  hearts  of  the  people,  saying  that  if  a  fox 
trot  over  the  newly  repaired  walls  they  would  fall. 
There  was  not  a  board  from  foundation  to  roof  which 
they  esteemed  fit  for  its  place.  The  very  ground  it- 
self was  condemned  by  these  prophets  of  evil,  the 
plans  and  purposes  throughout  pronounced  imprac- 
ticable. Tailors,  shoe-makers,  quack  doctors,  vvhite- 
washers,  women,  and  querulous  men,  all  so  well  fitted 
by  nature  and  profession,  advised,  warned,  and  prognos- 
ticated until  the  life  of  the  projector  was  often  a  burden. 
But  these  were  not  the  only  people  who  passed  by. 
Friends  came,  who  had  but  heard  of  the  daring  under- 
taking, who  loved  to  think  of  audacious  efforts  for  Christ, 
and  would  give  words  of  cheer  and  a  five  or  ten  dollar 
bill  to  back  them  up.  Such  a  friend  came  by  one  day 
when  the  work  was  at  a  stand-still  for  lumber,  and,  find- 
ing the  cause,  sent  a  load  to  our  relief. 

The  "World's  })eople"  always  took  an  interest  in  the 
work,  and  have  a  large  representation  in  this  cause. 
An  old,  hard-faced,  weather-beaten  sailor  came  by  oue 


MITES  A  GAINST  MIILIONS.  51 

day  and  said,  "  Mister,  be  you  going  to  float  out  a  ship 
from  this  brick-vard?''  Beinii:  informed  of  the  nature 
of  our  operations,  he  said,  pointing  to  the  remaining 
brick-kiln,  "That  is  a  good  accompaniment  to  a  Miell 
fire'  church.  I  am  orthodox,  born  orthodox,  but  a  dev- 
ilish poor  Christian  ;  but  that  little  gaPs  givin'  that 
money  kinder  touches  tliis  old  bosom.  I  had  a  blessed 
little  tot  myself  that  sailed  out  from  us  to  the  other 
side,  and  for  her  sake  I  will  give  you  the  last  ^  saw- 
buck'  (ten-dollar  bill)  I  have.  I  have  enough  left  to 
get  my  grog  to-night,  and  we  go  out  to-morrow.  You 
are  welcome  to  it,  and  if  I  ever  get  back  to  these  shores 
again,  I  will  sail  in  to  see  how  you  are  making  the 
trip."  The  wooden  shanty  was  known  as  the  Free 
Collegiate  Chapel,  and  was  the  wonder  of  the  neighbor- 
hood. News  of  it  spread  throughout  city  and  country. 
It  was  one  of  the  marvels  of  the  Centennial  to  many 
who  had  heard  the  story  of  the  bequest.  The  secular 
papers  spoke  of  it  often  and  kindly,  and  when  complete 
it  was  about  the  best  advertised  venture  in  the  city.  The 
furniture  was  put  in  about  four  o'clock  in  the  morning  of 
the  last  Sabbath  of  May,  1876.  Several  young  men  of  the 
Alexander  Church  had  wrought  with  their  hands,  dug 
and  shoveled,  carried  timber,  driven  nails,  glazed  the 
windows,  painted  the  walls,  and  when  finished,  scrubbed 
the  floor,  and  put  down  the  matting.  The  chairs  they 
had  painted  were  put  in  and  such  other  furniture  as 
they  could  get,  and  several  of  them  worked  all  through 
Saturday  night  and  Sabbath  morning,  that  it  might  be 


r>2  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

iTudy  for  the  opening  according  to  advertisement. 
After  this,  several  of  them  spent  the  intervening  time 
until  the' opening  in  visiting  the  families  in  the  neighbor- 
liood,  inviting  them  and  their  children  to  the  services. 

Tlie  enterprise  was  an  experiment.  No  one  knew 
that  any  one  outside  of  those  interested  would  come,  but 
on  the  Sabbath  afternoon  of  the  opening  fifty  scholars 
were  present ;  and  at  the  preaching  service,  immediately 
after,  the  house,  seventy-six  feet  by  thirty  feet,  in  which 
were  nearly  five  hundred  chairs,  was  full  of  people  from 
all  parts  of  the  city.  The  first  words  of  praise  uttered 
were  "All  hail  the  power  of  Jesus  name,"  and  the  first 
sermon  was  preached  by  the  Rev.  Dr.  March,  now  of 
Woburn,  near  Boston.  Rev.  A¥.  P.  White  assisted. 
And  from  this  day  until  the  organization  of  the  church, 
:r::r-^  i^'c.c  ^  ears  after,  a  church  service  was  maintained 
at  four  o'clock  every  Sabbath,  immediately  after  the 
Sabbath-school,  to  which  nearly  all  the  scholars  and 
teachers  remained.  To  aid  in  keeping  the  scholars  to 
this  service,  Sal)bath-school  books  were  not  given  out 
until  after  church.  The  service  was  religiously  kept 
within  an  hour,  and  a  clioir  of  the  scholars  was  formed 
and  taught  by  one  of  the  }'oung  men,  a  teacher  in  the 
school.  It  became  one  of  the  standing  attractions  to 
many  to  hear  not  only  the  choir  but  the  whole  school 
sing.  There  is  a  weakness  in  our  Sabbath-school  sys- 
tem in  divoi'cing  the  Sabbath-school  from  the  Church, 
which  these  devices  remedied,  and  unless  the  present 
arrangement  is  changed  throughout  the  Church  it  will 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  53 

die  in  the  embrace  of  its  own  children.  The  hours  of 
Sabbath-school  are  so  arranged  that  most  pastors  never 
preach  any  more  to  the  young.  Scholars  know  more 
about  everybody  else  in  many  churchg^  than  the  pastor. 
They  hear  no  more  preaching.  Parents  give  them  over 
to  their  Sabbath-school  instruction.  The  superintendent 
becomes  their  pastor,  and  perhaps  some  silly  young 
man  or  woman,  who  never  looks  at  the  lesson  until  he  or 
she  audaciously  takes  up  the  Bible,  gives  them  all  the  in- 
struction they  ever  get.  No  wonder  we  have  to  record 
fruitless  years  in  the  Church  and  mourn  the  worldliness 
and  indifference  of  the  young.  They  have  neither  home 
nor  pastoral  instruction;  and  the  Sabbath- school,  the 
nursery  of  the  Church,  is  the  ruling  power.  The 
Church  is  about  in  the  condition  of  a  family  over  which 
the  youngsters  rule.  Experience  has  convinced  us 
that  never  has  pastoral  work  been  more  indispensable 
or  useful,  and  the  Church  in  the  house  is  more  than  ever 
the  form  in  which  Christianity  in  this  country  must 
maintain  itself.  The  newspaper  and  other  agencies 
have  encroached  upon  the  pulpit,  but  nothing  but 
neglect  hinders  Christ  in  the  home. 

Faithfulness  and  gratitude  require  us  to  say  that  many 
of  the  members  of  the  Alexander  Church,  male  and 
female,  wrought  to  the  completion  of  this  work.  The 
Session  loved  it,  worked  and  prayed  for  it,  and  these 
were  the  best  days  the  mother-church  ever  saw  when 
she  was  returning  gratitude  to  God  in  laying  the  founda- 
tion of  a  church  to  the  glory  of  His  name,  and  it  was 


54  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

with  joy  that  her  members  used  to  pray  for  our  chapel    , 
and  their  sons  and  daughters  working  in  it. 

We  think  it  will  be  interesting  to  our  readers,  as  well 
as  an  act  of  simple  justice  to  the  first  toilers,  to  say  a 
word  about  them  and  the  service  they  performed. 
Henry  Lambirth  became  acting  superintendent,  and  held 
the  position  for  about  five  years,  and  rendered  valuable 
service  to  both  the  school  and  the  congregation,  which 
gathered  to  the  afternoon  preaching  from  the  beginning. 

Charles  Thissell  was  one  of  the  young  men  who 
wrought  with  head,  heart,  and  hands,  one  of  those  who 
pulled  and  tacked  at  the  matting  the  Saturday  night 
and  Sabbath  morning  before  the  dedication.  He  was 
one  of  the  factors  in  the  beginning.  He  became  superin- 
tendent of  the  infant  school,  assisted  at  first  by  the  wife 
of  the  present  acting  superintendent  and  Deacon  in  the 
Memorial  Church,  Mr.  Yerkes,  and  afterwards  by  Miss 
Lucy  Cooper.  They  were  faithful  to  duty,  earnest, 
patient,  and  prayerful,  and  the  school  grew  with  en- 
couraging proportions  from  the  day  of  its  opening;  and 
what  is  more  to  their  credit,  they  liad  but  little  of  means 
or  comfort  to  work  on,  and  never  was  a  school  of  such 
proportions  carried  on  with  so  little  money.  But  Mr. 
Thissell  was  skillful  in  the  use  of  tools,  and  nol  afraid 
of  work,  and  what  he  could  not  buy  he  made,  and  this 
tells  the  story  of  his  success. 

In  the  first  months  of  the  history  of  this  work,  a 
tall,  dark-visaged  man,  delicate  in  appearance,  but 
with  an  earnest  manner  and  winning  face,  might  have    • 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILL  TONS.  55 

been  seen  going  from  house  to  liouse  asking  for  Sab- 
bath-school scholars ;  and  by  tliis  interest  in  the  chil- 
dren, working  his  way  into  families  to  instruct  parents, 
exhorting  them  to  the  duties  childhood  demands  and 
parentage  enjoins.  lie  had  wonderful  success  in  win- 
ning whole  households  to  himself,  as  the  man  of  God. 
He  gathered  children  into  this  wooden  box,  which 
was,  out  of  respect  to  the  cause,  called  a  chapel.  He 
would  stand  on  the' street  in  front  and  hail  the  passing 
crowd,  begging  them  to  come  in ;  and  multitudes  who 
never  entered  any  church  could  find  no  words  of  re- 
fusal, and  would  be  led  in,  receive  a  seat  and  hymn- 
book,  and  then  he  would  go  out  after  more.  His  motto 
was  that  of  a  Latin  father  shouted  out  in  dream,  ^^  O 
Lord,  yet  more,  yet  more !"  Through  the  week  he 
went  through  the  streets  and  alleyways,  reading  the 
Word  to  those  who  Avould  hear,  shakin'^  the  little  hands 
of  the  children,  whom  he  never  forgot  or  misnamed, 
until  Deacon  McLean  became  a  household  word.  The 
sick  lono;ed  for  his  comino;;  the  thouo;:htless  waited  for 
him,  for  it  never  offended  them  when  he  spoke  to  them 
upon  the  subject  of  religion.  He  was  to  many  the  only 
link  between  them  and  the  Church.  They  believed  in 
him,  loved  and  followed  him.  This  church  is  indebted 
to  this  man  as  the  representative  of  Christ^s  mission — 
"The  poor  have  the  Gospel  preached  to  them."  He  wore 
aAvay  his  precious  life,  but  his  soul  grew  brighter  and  his 
love  for  dying  men  more  intense  as  the  night  approached 
when  he  should  lay  his  armor  down.     All  through  1876 


56  MITES  A  GA  INS  T  MILL  IONS. 

he  wrought  with  unconquerable  zeal,  as  if  running 
before  the  coming  shadows  of  death.  During  the  suc- 
ceeding Avinter  he  was  forced  to  give  up  the  work  he 
had  pursu(Ml  with  such  Christlike  energy.  Finding  his 
strength  wasting,  he  struggled  manfully  for  the  oppor- 
tunities of  years  already  spent.  In  spite  of  physicians 
and  loving  care,  the  inevitable  crept  daily  nearer.  He 
and  his  devoted  wife  left  the  city,  giving  up  their  home, 
and  started  in  search  of  the  lost  treasure  of  health,  but 
it  was  like  the  flight  of  the  smitten  deer  with  the  arrow 
pierced  through  its  heart,  hunting  a  better  place  to  die. 

In  a  water  cure  in  northern  New  York,  for  a  Avhole 
year  it  was  alternation  of  hope  and  despair.  He  fought 
against  death  with  the  courage  of  the  dying  gladiator, 
not  because  he  feared  what  it  would  bring  him  into,  but 
because  he  wished  to  leave  his  work  well  done. 

After  spending  some  time  in  Rochester,  they  went  to 
the  Hot  Springs,  Arkansas,  and  for  some  months  he 
kept  up  the  unequal  contest.  As  death  gained  the  mas- 
tery over  the  outward  man,  his  soul  grew  stronger  in 
resignation,  and  heaven  was  coming  sensibly  nearer. 
He  began  to  anticipate  it,  and  to  talk  of  it,  as  one  ex- 
pecting soon  to  emigrate  to  a  distant  shore  to  better  his 
fortunes  consults  his  map  and  asks  of  all  who  can  make 
it  more  real  by  experience. 

From  here  they  went  to  the  far  north — to  Minneapo- 
lis. Amonff  strangers  he  did  not  remain  Unknown. 
Christian  people  came  to  cheer,  and  when  they  could  no 
lonsrer  mitigrate,  to  look  on  in  amazement  at  the  battle 


MITES  A  GAINS  T  MILLIONS.  57 

between  death  and  the  remnant  of  life.  As  one  said, 
he  was  a  marvel  to  all  who  witnessed.  He  lived  in  the 
atmosphere  of  prayer,  and  no  struggle  for  breath  sub- 
dued his  spirit-life;  and  when  his  pursuer  stood  wait- 
ing to  strike  the  last  bloAv,  and  the  physician  said 
it  might  be  days  or  hours,  he  said,  ^^  It  is  well.  Per- 
haps I  hav^e  glorified  my  Master  better  in  my  suifering 
than  in  my  life.'' 

A  very  short  time  before  his  last  conflict,  two  of  the 
Elders  of  the  AVestminster  Church,  Minneapolis — 
Messrs.  Miller  and  Monroe — were  in  his  presence,  from 
which  they  went  to  the  meeting  of  prayer  in  the  church, 
where  they  told  the  people  how  near  they  had  been  to 
heaven,  for  they  had  followed  this  already  glorified 
worker  to  its  portals ;  and  one  said,  "  If  I  could  hope 
to  have  such  a  presence  of  the  Master  in  my  last  hours, 
it  would  brighten  all  my  coming  life."  In  these  last 
struggles  of  heart  and  flesh  he  said,  "  I  am  not  going  out 
into  the  dark.  It  is  all  light;"  and  then,  lifting  his 
weary  eyes  heavenward,  they  remained  fixed,  and  his 
soul  went  home  sweetly  as  music  goes  from  the  throb- 
bing string. 

In  February,  1877,  there  was  a  remarkable  revival 
in  this  lonely  shanty  between  two  brickyards  and  over  a 
cellar.  Men  and  women  did  not  care  for  mud  or  snow; 
saint  and  sinner  alike  crowded  into  this  place,  unattrac- 
tive in  every  other  respect  except  that  the  spirit  of  God 
was  there.  It  became  in  that  revival  sacred  in  the  eyes 
of  the  community,  and  everybody  watched  over  it  and 


68  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

cared  for  it.  If  a  storm  came,  people  would  walk 
around  to  see  if  any  damage  had  been  done  to  it.  The 
boys,  who  were  ready  to  destroy  everything  else  that  could 
be  pulled  apart,  rarely  injured  this.  It  was  sacred  to 
God;  no  place  was  ever  so  dedicated  in  the  reverence  of 
comninuity.  People  came  from  .all  over  the  city,  so 
that  in  the  congregations  were  those  who  worshiped  in 
churches  costing  hundreds  of  thousands,  but  in  this 
place  was  God  present.  The  weekly  prayer-meeting  on 
Friday  night,  from  the  first,  w^as  a  meeting  that  con- 
ducted itself.  Informal,  while  there  was  a  nominal 
leader,  any  who  wished  could  give  out  a  hymn  or  pray 
as  the  spirit  moved.  The  meetings  were  wonderful  in 
life  and  power;  thci-e  was  tlie  best  talking  and  praying 
to  which  we  have  ever  listened.  It  did  not  make  the 
slightest  difference  whether  the  Pastor  was  present  or 
not;  every  duty  was  done,  and  all  went  on  w^ithout delay 
or  friction.  The  Spirit  of  God  was  the  recognized 
leader  in  all.  The  young  men  would  quote  passages  of 
Scripture,  or  read  them,  and  say  a  few  words,  often  under 
a  stress  that  would  manifest  itself  in  their  restrained 
breathing,  that  could  be  heard  throughout  the  house. 
Sometimes  they  would  fail  in  their  efforts  to  speak  or 
pray,  and  sit  down  in  tears,  and  another  would  take  up 
the  unfinished  prayers  and  finish  them.  At  the  close 
of  the  services  the  older  members  would  find  the  dis- 
couraged ones  and  give  them  a  word  of  cheer,  and  at 
the  next  meeting  they  Avouid  try  it  again  ;  thus,  through 
struggle  and  failure,  they  are  now  men  of  power.   Most 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  59 

of  them  can  lead  a  meeting  to  edification,  can  pray  ac- 
ceptably, and  not  a  few  can  make  addresses  that  would 
be  appreciated  before  any  audience. 

Many  of  these  young  men  have  now  entered  into  the 
advanced  services  of  the  Church  as  Deacons,  and  can 
comfort. the  poor  and  afflicted,  and  preach  as  well.  They 
conduct  meetings  wherever  there  seems  to  be  an  *oppor- 
tunity  for  doing  good.  The  Pastor  believes  that  the 
Deacon  in  the  New  Testament  was  not  only  an  almoner, 
but  a  preacher,  the  ordained  evangelist  to  prepare  the 
way  for  the  preaching  elder,  as  Philip  did  for  the 
apostles.  With  this  conception  of  his  duty,  he  has  so 
charged  them  in  their  ordination  and  installation,  and 
has  in  his  Diaconate  had  fruits  corresponding.  Many 
more  of  the  young  men  and  Avomen,  who  learned  to 
work  in  the  infancy  of  this  effort,  are  now  teachers  in 
the  Sabbath -school,  doing  missionary  work  in  the  neigh- 
borhood. 

They  have  been  known  to  scatter  in  a  night  five 
thousand  notices  of  services  and  invitations,  handing 
one  in  at  each  door.  Two  of  these  young  men  are  act- 
ing superintendents  in  the  Sabbath-school,  and  another 
is  now  preparing  to  open  a  morning  Sabbath-school. 
One  of  the  suggestions  of  the  Pastor  which  seems  to 
have  contributed  to  efficiency  in  bringing  forward  the 
young  men,  was  insisting  that  the  older  men  should  not 
pray  longer  than  two  minutes,  to  encourage  the  young 
ones  to  try  it.  First,  asking  them  to  pray  one  minute, 
and  before  calling  for  volunteers,  two  were  asked  to 


60  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

pray,  one  to  follow  the  other. .  They  were  told  what  to 
pray  for,  thinking  they  could  hold  out  a  minute,  espe- 
cially as  each  had  the  subject  suggested.  They  were 
thus  in  the  beginning  fed  as  an  old  bird  feeds  her  young, 
until  they  could  rest  on  their  own  strength.  A  com- 
pany of  young  men  will  become  the  counterpart  of  the 
pastor  or  leader;  he  will  hear  his  own  thoughts;  his 
very  spiritual  life  will  be  reproduced,  if  .he  have  any,  all 
unconsciously  to  those  who  do  it.  It  is  wrought  by  the 
power  of  assimulation ;  no  eye  sees  the  j)rocess,  but  the 
result  is  apparent  to  all. 

In  October  of  the  year  1877,  our  skies  Avere  overcast. 
The  shadows  of  its  calamities  still  lie  across  our  history. 
A  terrific  storm  arose  one  evening.  It  was  appalling. 
The  elements  were  in  a  rage  against  life.  Tornadoes  ran 
away  with  the  fountains  of  the  heavens,  and  dashed 
them  against  all  that  stood  in  their  way.  Trees  were  up- 
rooted, houses  blown  down,  churches  unroofed,  bridges 
undermined  and  carried  away,  railroad  tracks  lifted 
from  their  beds.  Death  rode  on  the  wings  of  the  wind. 
All  through  the  hours  of  this  dreadful  night  moanings, 
as  of  the  dying,  were  heard,  and  hearts  stood  aghast  for 
the  tempest-tossed  on  land  and  sea.  Our  friend  and 
benefactor,  Wm.  J.  McElroy,  Esq.,  perished  that  night, 
a  loved  Elder  in  the  Alexander  Church,  known  all 
over  the  city  for  his  great  abilities  and  integrity  as  a 
lawyer,  and  as  a  Christian  who  walked  with  God,  whose 
cause  ever  lay  as  the  nearest  thought  to  his  heart.  He 
went  beyond  the  cognizance  of  sense,  to  where  memory 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  ^  61 

and  hope  can  alone  be  the  mediums  through  which  we 
should  know  him  until  the  Resurrection  morn. 

On  his  way  home  from  Stroudsburgh,  where  he  had 
gone  on  professional  business,  as  the  train  that  bore  him 
was  crossing  the  culvert  over  Mill  Creek  on  the  Belvi- 
dere  I  ranch  of  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad,  the  flood 
had  torn  it  away,  and  the  car  in  which  he  was  was 
swept  into  the  stream,  and  he,  with  several  others, 
were  lost,  their  bodies  not  being  found  for  days.  It 
was  a  heavy  .stroke.  He  w^as  mourned  by  all  who  loved 
this  infant  mission,  for  his  presence  inspired  hope,  and 
all  knew  he  had  cast  his  life  into  its  service.  He  was 
one  of  those  who  could  do  wdl  whatever  was  to  be  done 
about  a  church.  He  was  a  scholar  in  both  the  law  and 
Gospel,  was  a  most  impressive  and  winsome  talker,  ripe 
in  religious  truth  and  its  personal  experiences;  and 
when  occasion  called,  no  more  popular  preacher  ever 
addressed  the  people,  who  loved  him  for  his  words, 
spirit,  hopes,  and  work.  * 


CHAPTER  VIIL 

It  is  an  interesting  part  of  the  history  of  this  work, 
tliat  Ood  brought  into  it  all  the  talent  of  every  kind 
needed.  The  accompanying  sketch  was  drawn  by  a  young 
artist  from  England,  who  wandered  into  the  chapel, 
weary,  lonely,  and  oppressed  by  grief;  having  met  with 
reverses,  he  had  left  his  home  in  England,  parting  from 
wife  and  little  ones  until  fortune  should  favor  him  in 
the  New  World.  Fortune  was  his  patron  then,  but 
within  this  humble  chapel  he  found  a  better  word  by 
which  to  describe  the  help  he  needed.  He  no  longer 
(iays  fortune,  but  Providence,  for  this  house  was  the  birth- 
place of  his  soal.  He  is  now  a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath- 
school,  and  joins  with  the  saints  of  God's  house  in  thanks- 
givings. 

The  chapel  was  carried  on  as  a  second  place  of  worship 
for  the  Alexander  Church,  though  the  support  came 
almost  entirely  from  those  who  worshiped  and  wrought 
in  the  mission.  It  has  been  from  the  first  the  most  re- 
markable example  of  unstinted  liberality,  according  to  its 
means,  that  we  have  ever  known.  The  members  contrib- 
uted ;  the  school  not  only  supported  itself,  but  contributed 
every  year  after  the  permanent  building  began  to  the 
building  fund,  until  the  Sabbath-school  alone  gave  to 
the  building  fund  one  thousand  dollars  in  one  year. 
We  have  not  known  a  regular  worshiper  in  the  years  <>i 

its  existence  who  has  not  contributed,  in  our  judgment, 
62 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  63 

up  to  his  ability — what  we  can  say  of  no  other  church 
in  our  pastoral  experience.  The  members  received  here 
on  profession  became  members  of  the  Alexander  Church, 
and  were  for  three  years  among  the  most  regular  in 
attendance  and  in  contributions  to  that  church.  The 
services  in  the  chapel  were  prayer-meetings  on  Friday 
nights,  entirely  conducted  by  the  male  members  of  the 
congregation,  the  Pastor  taking  part  if  he  chose.  This 
was  necessary  in  the  fact  of  their  being  a  dependency, 
that  they  should  early  learn  to  take  care  of  themselves; 
and  as  a  result,  for  five  years  no  prayer-meeting  has  ever 
failed  for  lack  of  one  to  lead,  or  for  a  sufficient  number 
to  speak  or  pray  to  make  it  interesting ;  and  there  never 
were  any  lean  prayer-meetings,  not  even  in  dog-days. 
There  have  never  been  any  vacations,  either  in  Sabbath- 
school  or  church.  If  a  minister  should  fail  then,  there 
are  men  who  could  take  the  pulpit  and  conduct  a  service 
acceptably  to  the  large  congregation.  This  has  largely 
been  attained  by  this  necessity  of  reliance,  for  the  Pastor 
had  to  attend  to  his  duties  in  the  mother-church,  and 
this  was  in  a  sense  a  step-child.  For  four  years  the 
Pastor  preached  three  times  every  Sabbath  to  keep  this 
growing  church  alive  and  onward  in  its  activities,  but 
the  best  reason  for  its  progress  w^as  the  abiding  presence 
of  the  Spirit  of  God,  the  great  life-giver  and  teacher. 
Literally  from  the  mouths  of  babes  He  perfected  praise. 
There  were  young  lads  in  this  mission,  twelve  and  fifteen 
years  old,  who,  when  there  was  need  for  it,  could  rise 
reverently  and  lead  the  congregation  acceptably  in  prayer ; 


64  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

and  it  WtOS  a  habit  for  the  male  scholars  of  the  Sabbath- 
school  to  read  or  recite  verses  from  memory  on  the  sub- 
ject in  consideration  in  the  Friday  night  meetings.  In 
this  they  had  the  best  of  example  and  encouragement  in 
the  Session  of  the  church.  The  lamented  Elder  McElroy 
frequently  occujiied  the  pulpit  in  the  afternoon,  and 
could  preach  as  but  few  in  the  ministry.  He  was  in- 
structive and  tender,  and  loved  the  place  and  cause.  It 
was  the  last  thins:  he  talked  about  before  he  left  his 
home  to  meet  his  tragic  death.  Other  members  of  the 
Session  performed  the  same  offices.  Two  of  the  Elders 
— Wallace  and  Dickson — entered  the  school  as  teachers, 
and  rendered  blessed  service.  Elder  Wallace  is  now  a 
member  of  the  Session  of  the  new  organization. 

The  young  people  took  classes,  solicited  funds,  and 
did  the  work  of  self-denying  missionaries  for  love's  sake. 
Some  of  them  have  gone  to  their  reward,  others  abide  in 
official  positions,  and  some  are  working  in  other  fields. 
Among  the  first  marked  features  of  spiritual  progress 
were  our  adult  Bible  classes.  From  the  beginning 
they  were  attractive  to  both  young  and  old;  hence  a 
Bible  class  ^Y0uld  range  in  ages  from  eighteen  to  seventy. 
This  was  much  the  result  of  good  teaching.  The  first 
class  formed  was  under  the  care  of  Mr.  Thomas 
Dickson,  who  taught  for  Christ;  and  while  he  instructed 
the  head,  he  won  the  heart.  This  class  numbered  fiftv 
or  sixty  members.  The  fruits  of  not  more  than  two 
years'  teaching  have  entered,  by  conversion  and  assimu- 
lation,  into  the  very  heart  of  the  church.     He  taught 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  65 

that  Christ  and  His  Church  were  the  Alpha  and  Omega 
of  a  teacher's  work;  and  God's  blessing  was  the  amen 
of  heaven  on  the  Divine  conception  and  execution.  The 
next  in  order  of  time  was  one  of  the  strange  Providences 
that  direct  us  w^e  know  not  whither,  but  by  the  unfold- 
ings  of  our  change  we  learn  the  meaning  of  these  seem- 
ing enigmas  of  life. 

A  member  of  an  old  down-town  church  was  passing 
with  his  little  son  along  the  street,  hardly  knowing  why, 
except  to  observe  the  progress  of  a  neighborhood  near 
to  which  he  had  become  a  resident;  hearing  singing  in 
this  strange  wooden  building,  he  stopped  in,  with  no 
thought  more  than  of  respectful  curiosity.  He  had  been 
a  teacher  for  years,  until  the  disbanding  of  his  church. 
He  sat  down  in  a  class,  which  had  just  been  formed, 
with  a  temporary  teacher,  little  thinking  of  what  a  life 
God  had  marked  out  before  him,  and  that  in  that 
humble  place  he  was  to  become  the  teacher  ,  of  that 
class,  which  was  to  grow  into  a  congregation  of  middle- 
aged  and  aged  peo[)le,  and  that  through  years  he  was 
to  lead  them  heavenward  by  the  teachings  of  God's 
Word  and  Spirit,  and  to  become  a  Ruling  Elder  in 
a  church  of  which  this  was  the  doubtful  beginning. 
This  class  has  been  like  the  one  spoken  of — a  harvest- 
field  for  Christ.  A  multitude  has  come  out  of  it  into 
the  profession  of  faith  and  the  activities  of  useful  Chris- 
tian life.  Some  of  the  first  fruits  of  Elder  Ringgold's 
teaching  have  been  already  garnered. 

The  history  of  this  Church  would  not  be  complete, 
5 


66  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

without  a  word  about  the  older  men  and  women,  lead- 
ing and  giving  color  to  the  convictions  of  the  young 
who  are  now  enterinu:  their  manhood  and  womanhood. 
There  was  nothing  to  tempt  these  into  this  wooden 
building  but  Christ  and  His  yoke  and  work.  Three  of 
the  most  active  Elders  of  the  Alexander  Church  took 
up  the  work  at  the  beginning.  One  has  gone  to  his  rest 
and  reward ;  one  is  in  St.  Paul,  Minnesota,  and  an- 
other in  the  foremost  rank  in  every  good  work  of  the 
present  Session.  Two  of  the  Deacons — McLean  and 
Shaw — also  of  the  Alexander  Church,  were  with  us, 
one  at  the  beginning  and  the  other  soon  after,  choice 
men,  whose  hearts  and  prayers  and  labors  have  added 
strength  to  its  daily  conflicts  and  victories.  Supple- 
mental in  character  was  a  company  of  devout  women, 
who  were  never  so  happy  as  when  tired  for  this  mission. 
We  had  no  dead  trees  in  this  nursery.  They  were  men 
and  women  of  strong  convictions,  the  stronger  the  better, 
if  they  be  on  the  right  side.  They  were  not  of  the 
class  of  dry-eyed  Christians,  who  may  be  of  some 
service  in  the  old  churches  where  Christ  and  His  relig- 
ion is  one  huge  propriety.  Such  can  do  little  in  the 
formation  of  a  new  Church.  These  tender-hearted  lead- 
ers drew  the  young  around  them,  and  won  them  both 
by  teaching  and  sympathies. 

The  revival  of  religion  referred  to  at  the  beginning 
of  this  Chapter  gave  us  an  impulse  by  which  we  are 
impelled  to  this  day.  It  can  be  seen  everywhere  around ; 
even  the  walls  of  the  building  proclaim  it.     It  shaped 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  67 

our  destinies  and  gave  direction  to  them,  created  a  young 
heart,  from  which  all  that  has  gone  into  this  history  has 
been  the  pulsation.  Over  forty  persons,  young  and  old, 
made  profession  of  faith  in  the  Alexander  Church,  and 
became  a  part  of  that  church,  with  two  places  of  wor- 
ship ;  and  from  this  fact  the  new  place  was  called  "  Col- 
legiate." Our  spring  was  full  of  'life  and  sunshine. 
But  this  only  brought  us  into  other  trials.  AYe  learned 
that  we  could  have  no  existence  in  repose.  That  like 
"  poor  Jo,''  life  was  to  be  an  everlasting  "  moving  on," 
and  a  choice  between  rest  and  activity  was  the  alternate 
between  life  and  death.  The  Pastor  had  rested  in  the 
contented  conviction  that  after  the  wooden  building  was 
up  and  paid  for,  that  he  was  done  with  the  little  devisor 
in  heaven,  and  that  he  had  fulfilled  all  obligations,  and 
all  that  remained  of  duty  was  to  keep  up  this  dependency 
on  the  Alexander  Church.  But  God  began  very  soon 
the  revelation  that  he  was  not  done  with  the  obligation 
to  build  a  church,  and  that  God,  the  Attorney  for  this 
ward  in  glory,  would  not  receive  a  wooden  shanty  in 
lieu  of  a  church.  It  w^as  strange  what  inspired  her  to 
say  "a  church,"  instead  of  a  mission,  as  strange  that 
the  trustee  should  never  think  that  a  shanty  was  not  a 
church.  Every  movement  now  set  in  this  direction. 
It  became  as  audible  as  God's  reminder  to  Jacob,  "Arise 
and  go  up  to  Bethel  and  build  there  an  altar  unto  God." 
The  house  became  daily  too  straightened,  and  we 
could  not  grow  or  even  hold  our  own  very  long.  People 
will  go  into  a  cheap  building  and  endure  its  discom- 


68  MITES  A  GAINS  T  MILLIONS. 

forts  for  a  time  while  the  disk  of  hope  widens,  but 
there  must  be  progress  or  they  will  leave;  they  did  not 
give  themselves  to  a  life  of  this  kind  of  privation,  but 
to  an  experiment  leading  to  better  things ;  and  if  any 
lasting  good  is  to  be  gained,  there  must  be  advance. 
But  in  our  case  it  was  to  run  against  a  seeming  impossi- 
bility. How  could  a  church  be  built  when  the  ground 
on  which  the  building  was  to  be  located  was  not  paid 
for.  There  was  no  wealth,  no  strong  ally,  to  help. 
It  was  a  zealous  band  in  a  temporary  building  on  one 
corner  of  a  brickyard.  Besides,  these  were  the  dull, 
leaden  days  of  our  financial  crises,  and  half  the  churches 
in  the  city  had  been  compelled  to  reduce  salaries  and 
expenses,  and  many  could  not  then  make  ends  meet. 
The  unsolved  dilemma  of  God's  will  and  man's  ability 
.sci^  a.  torment,  and  continued  to  be,  until  the  problem 
was  thus  reversed,  "  God's  will  and  ability  are  practi- 
cally the  same." 


CHAPTER    IX. 

Progress  or  death  were  the  only  words  legible 
of  our  future,  and  the  summer  months  gave  no  indica- 
tion of  which  it  would  be.  All  was  waiting  for  us  to 
move  on;  God's  method  was  to  reveal  itself  in  our  mo- 
tion. We  had  nothing  but  the  four  dollars  and  forty- 
one  cents,  but  this  had  been  sufficient  to  help  us  over  the 
necessities  of  the  first  building;  why  should  it  not  over 
the  second  ?  In  the  perplexity  a  trifling  event,  already 
referred  to,  determined  that  progress  should  mark  our 
course.  God  not  only  works  in  mysterious  ways,  but  by 
mysterious  instruments. 

The  Pastor  stopped  one  morning  in  the  brickyard  to 
see  the  proprietors  about  some  little  injury  done  to  the 
chapel,  as  to  how  it  was  done  and  by  whom,  and  this 
led  to  a  conversation  about  our  prospects.  They  were 
hard-working,  poor  men,  one  a  Protestant,  but  not  a  pro- 
fessing Christian,  and  the  other  a  Catholic.  In  the 
conversation  the  perplexities  of  our  position  were  spoken 
of,  and  the  men  showed  a  surprising  interest.  They  said : 
*^  You  treated  us  like  a  Christian  when  you  purchased 
the  ground,  permitting  us  to  stay  the  second  season  when 
you  could  have  driven  us  away ;  while  we  are  poor,  we 
want  to  do  something  to  show  our  appreciation  of  this 
kindness.  If  you  will  mark  out  the  size  you  will  have 
your  Church,  we  will  dig  the  cellar.    We  can  use  much 

of  the  clay  in  making  brick."     This  was  the  first  gray 

69 


70  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

dawn  on  the  night  that  had  hung  so  darkly  between  us 
and  hope.  The  ground  was  surveyed,  and  the  work 
proceeded  according  to  promise,  without  money  and  with- 
out price.  But  this  only  brought  us  into  another 
dilemma.  Of  what  possible  service  could  a  hole  in  the 
ground  87  x  100  feet  be  toward  the  realization  of  a 
Church;  but  having  ventured,  there  was  no  place  to 
turn  back  without  faltering  in  duty  and  personal  dis- 
honor. A  contract  was  made  to  lay  the  stone  in  the 
cellar  as  fast  as  we  could  procure  it  and  pay  for  the 
work.  The  only  hope  was  in  having  both  materials  and 
money  donated,  for  the  congregation  could  do  no  more 
than  pay  the  expenses  incident  to  carrying  on  the  mis- 
sion. 

But  nobody  had  any  confidence  in  so  desperate  an 
undertaking.  The  first  stone  was  bought,  and  the  next 
was  donated  by  a  man  much  denounced  by  politicians  as 
a  fraud ;  but  we  learned  that  political  frauds,  according  to 
party  standards,  are  often  very  good  men.  His  generosity 
to  us  in  those  trying  times  has  made  us  less  disposed  to 
measure  men  by  political  clamor.  Another  politician 
contributed  a  few  cart  loads  to  the  cellar ;  and  day  by  day 
one  and  two  men  wrought,  backing  up  the  banks  of  the 
hole  in  the  ground  to  keep  them  from  caving  in ;  and  how 
this  was  paid  for  we  cannot  now  recall.  It  was  at  the 
beginning  of  the  summer  vacation;  only  a  small  amount 
of  work  had  been  done,  and  it  was  a  question  whether 
the  stone  layers  would  not  have  to  stop  during  the 
Pastor's  absence.     But  he  carried  the  little  box  and  its 


MITES  A  GAINS  T  MILIIONS.  71 

cause  with  him,  and  wherever  lie  preached  he  con- 
trived to  get  the  box,  its  giver  and  })ur|)08e  in  as  inci- 
dentally as  possible  by  way  of  illustration.  During 
this  vacation  he  began  to  realize  the  pathos  of  the  story 
and  its  power  over  the  hearts  of  men.  A  few  years 
before,  while  at  Saratoga,  he  had  filled  an  appointment 
at  Kingsboro  for  a  ministerial  Brother  who  was  pre- 
vented by  illness  from  keeping  his  engagement.  There 
was  not  a  person  in  either  of  the  little  cities  of  Kings- 
boro, Gloversville,  or  Johnstown  whom  he  had  ever  seen 
or  heard  of  before.  The  journev  was  a  lonelv  one, 
and  he  regretted  his  consent  to  Rev.  Crocker,  to  whom 
the  promise  had  been  made.  But  he  was  so  hospitably 
entertained  at  the  home  of  Hon.  D.  B.  Judson,  that  it 
soon  took  all  the  regrets  of  the  unpropitious  journey 
away.  How  little  we  know  the  significance  for  life's 
unpleasant  things.  This  was  opening  the  way  three  years 
before  for  help  in  the  great  undertaking  into  which  Prov- 
idence had  driven  us.  He  preached  in  the  morning  for  the 
Presbyterian  Church  at  Kingsboro,  and  for  the  Con- 
gregational Church  in  Gloversville  at  night,  tx)  large 
congregations  of  a  people  whose  religious  convictions 
had  been  shaped  into  the  mould  of  a  noble  benevolence 
by  that  noted  Pastor,  Dr.  Yale,  whose  name  is  spoken 
of  with  reverent  lips  until  this  day.  The  mutual  im- 
pressions were  so  favorable  that  never  but  once  since 
1872  has  the  summer  vacation  passed  without  a  return 
to  this  beautiful  valley,  preaching  alternately  for  the 
Presbyterians  of  Kingsboro  \\\v\  the  Congregational ists 


72  MITES  AGAINST  Mill  IONS. 

and  Presbyterians  \\\  Gloversville  and  Johnstown.  It 
is  a  time  when  the  Pastors  are  generally  away,  and  by 
their  consent  he  became  a  kind  of  vacation  Bishop  to 
the  three  cities,  j^reaching  to  great  congregations  often 
combined  at  one  of  the  churches. 

The  first  public  effort  in  behalf  of  this  undertaking  was 
made  in  Kingsboro.  After  preacliing,  the  story  of  the  gift 
was  told ;  the  treasure  was  shown,  and  to  our  surprise  it 
broke  the  hearts  of  the  people.  Young  and  old,  thought- 
ful and  thoughtless,  were  alike  in  tears.  They  emptied 
their  pockets,  and  went  home  for  more.  They  gave  all 
they  could,  and  wished  they  could  give  it  all.  The 
poor  gave  a  pittance  of  their  poverty,  saying :  "  Xone 
of  us  are  poorer  than  she  who  gave  her  all.''  Little 
children  came,  too,  with  their  offerings  ;  for  it  had  taken 
hold  on  their  hearts.  The  gathering  amounted  to  about 
one  hundred  dollars,  and  Elder  Judson  and  family 
largely  increased  the  amount. 

The  news  reached  Gloversville,  and  invitations  came 
from  the  Congregational  and  Presbyterian  Churches, 
asking  to  hear  of  the  little  girl  and  her  treasure  and 
bequest,  that  they  might  give,  too.  The  first  answer  was 
in  the  Congregational  Church,  a  church  noble  in  all  the 
elements  of  Christian  life  and  its  beneficent  results. 
The  house  was  crowded  to  overflowing,  up-stairs  and 
dow^n.  The  congregation  at  Kingsboro,  w^ho  had  heard 
it  in  the  morning,  were  there  at  night,  and  heard,  and 
wept,  and  gave  again.  The  impression  it  produced  w^as,  if 
anything,  deeper  than  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  and 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  73 

their  gifts  were  large-hearted  and  large-minded.  The 
Sabbath-school  insisted  on  giving  its  part,  and  the 
large-hearted  superintendent  brought  up  the  amount 
from  his  own  generosity.  This  amount  given  by  these 
churches  was  forwarded,  and  the  work  went  on  to  the 
surprise  and  delight  of  all.  The  next  presentation  of 
the  subject  was  in  Saratoga,  in  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church.  It  was  simply  used  as  an  illustration,  and  not 
the  occasion  of  a  sermon.  Experience  proves  that  direct 
appeals  are  always  distasteful  to  many,  and  cause  men 
to  harden  themselves  from  the  beginning.  Surprises 
open  hearts  and  pockets.  Men  love  to  be  led  into  events 
that  lay  hold  on  their  affections.  Money  was  never 
asked  for  directly  ;  the  purpose  was  always  kept  in  the 
background,  but  the  pathos  and  unselfishness  of  the 
act  made  prominent  rather  incidentally  and  for  the 
purpose  of  illustration  of  some  truth  in  the  sermon. 
This  congregation  of  men  and  women.  Christians  and 
world's  people,  pleasure-seekers  and  livers  to  pleasure, 
alike  were  deeply  affected,  for  the  human  heart  is  much 
the  same,  and  the  difference  is,  that  people  of  the 
world  give  more  impulsively  and  quickly  than  Chris- 
tians, if  they  are  reached  indirectly,  hiding  the  main 
pur2)ose,  which  is  ever  to  be  an  effect  of  emotion  crea- 
ted by  the  sublimity  of  the  deed  itself.  Such  give 
liberally.  They  hunted  for  the  man  from  one  hotel  to 
another,  who  told  about  the  little  girl  and  her  box. 

If  we  dared  give  names  and  character,  the  Christian 
world  woukl  be  surprised  at  the  offerings  from  men  and 


74  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

women  wlio  liave  no  ostensible  interest  in  religion,  who 
have  their  gifts  and  tears  in  tliis  church,  and  who  still 
seek  to  know  of  its  success. 

The  people  of  the  world,  as  they  are  called,  are  not 
altogether  to  blame  for  indiflPerence  to  the  needs  of 
Christ's  cause.  They  all  have  a  general  interest  in  ii; 
some  dear  one  has  hands  on  the  horns  of  the  altar,  and 
they  cling  to  their  vestments.  But  Christian  people 
too  easily  take  it  for  granted  that  to  be  out  of  the  Church 
is  the  same  as  to  be  out  of  all  sympathy  with  it,  which  is  a 
mischievous  mistake,  a  damage  to  those  whom  we  would 
win  to  Christ  and  to  Christ's  cause ;  our  commission 
is  not  only,  "  Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the 
Gaspel,"  but  go  ye  into  all  the  world  for  the  support  of 
the  Gospel  preached.  Giving  is  a  means  of  grace;  it  is 
prayer  unto  God  from  the  unsaved,  and  a  kind  of  pray- 
ing that  God  does  not  spurn,  as  we  are  told  about  Cor- 
nelius. Prayers  and  alms  are  inseparable,  coming  up 
before  God,  and  often  a  worldly  man's  gifts  are  the 
initiatory  steps  into  the  kingdom  of  God ;  if  delicately 
done,  it  is  the  easiest  way  of  approaching  a  man  of  the 
world,  ever  more  ready  to  give  his  money  than  his 
heart.  We  do  not  believe  that  the  young  nobleman 
who  came  running  to  Christ  was  half  so  much  tried  by 
the  conditions  to  "sell  all"  as  by  the  "follow  me." 

It  is  ever  easier  to  get  money  than  hearts,  but  solicit- 
ing help  is  an  admirable  way  into  men's  confidence 
and  to  get  them  to  tell  the  story  of  their  lives. 
Don't  ask  for  it,  but  let  the  sunshine  of  general  Chris- 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  lb 

tian  life  lie  over  them  until  they  thaw  out  and  tell  it 
all  themselves;  only  listen  well  and  sympathize  in  all 
that  they  have  done  that  is  good,  and  this  will  be  a 
mighty  fulcrum  skillfully  used,  with  which,  when  the 
secret  of  their  lives  is  gained,  to  lift  them  to  Christ. 
Experience  has  shown  us  that  there  is  no  better  way  to 
reach  men  for  good,  whu,  approached  directly,  would 
surely  repell  those  who  ask  them  to  give  to  some  reason- 
able and  financially  practicable  cause.  If  they  refuse, 
never  press  it,  have  confidence  in  what  they  say,  bid 
them  good-bye  without  a  sign  of  disappointment  or 
impatience,  and  the  probabilities  are  they  will  send  it, 
or  give  an  invitation  to  call  again,  regretting  that  they 
did  not  give  at  first. 

Disappointment  will  increase  their  discomfort.  They 
expect  to  be  beset  and  the  asker  to  get  fretted ;  but  they 
find  themselves  all  mistaken  in  the  man  or  woman,  and 
they  feel  that  they  have  been  left  to  hold  the  responsi- 
bility. It  seems  within  bounds  to  say  that  this  course 
never  failed,  and  men  who  gave  nothing  have  become 
contributors  at  their  own  solicitation;  and  what  is  bet- 
ter, were  happy  over  it,  and  became,  on  account  of  it, 
Church-goers,  and  often  Christians;  for  wherever  a 
man  puts  his  money  in  this  world  he  will  be  sure  to  go 
after  his  dividends,  no  matter  in  what  kind  of  values 
they  are  paid.  Neither  is  it  worth  the  trouble  to  solicit 
help  for  any  benevolent  cause  on  a  falling  market;  men 
are  depressed,  and  but  few  will  give  away  capital  even 
to  God.    We  have  always  watched  the  markets  to  know 


7^  MITES  A  GAINST  MILIIONS. 

when  to  ask  one  and  another  class  to  give.  It  is  use- 
less to  ask  the  broker  or  stock-dealer  when  every  value  is 
flat,  but  when  a  boom  comes,  and  hope  rides  on  the  ris- 
ing current,  then  launch  out.  If  the  iron  men  are 
making  money,  they  will  give  it;  but  when  it  is  under 
price  of  production,  pass  them  by.  Business  has  much  to 
do  with  benevolence  if  you  have  a  cause  that  has  any  busi- 
ness sense  or  probabilities  in  it,  and  if  you  have  not, 
better  stay  at  home.  Ask  for  it  in  a  dignified  manner 
and  as  briefly  as  possible;  put  the  main  issue  as  on  the 
assumption  that  the  man  asked  has  some  sense  and  that 
lie  can  see  through  you  and  your  cause ;  don't  argue  it 
a  minute;  don't  take  his  time  or  behave  like  a  consti- 
tutional bore,  but  as  a  gentleman  doing  a  work  for 
Christ's  sake,  of  which  he  is  not  ashamed,  and  which  he 
would  spurn  to  do  for  himself;  and  above  all,  don't  try 
to  get  money  by  a  show  of  sanctimoniousness;  it  is  no 
time  for  odors,  no  matter  if  they  come  out  of  the  broken 
alabaster  box.  It  is  business  that  brings  business  to  be 
done  in  haste  and  in  a  business  way. 

Never  complain  or  be  discouraged  if  you  are  so.  Do 
not  talk  it,  and  never  suggest  failures.  Only  fools  pitch 
.their  money  away,  like  throwing  chips  into  the  sun. 
I^cave  the  long  face,  if  you  have  one,  at  home ;  be  cour- 
teous and  cheerful,  and  show  some  interest  in  the  affairs  of 
your  fellow-men,  and  do  not  dwell  too  much  upon  your 
own.  Make  your  work  only  one  of  the  countless  forms 
of  beneficence,  not  the  hub  of  the  universe,  asking  to  be 
pushed  on  by  its  merits,  rather  than  your  description  of  it. 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  77 

These  are  a  few  practical  suggestions  which  experience 
has  tau.^ht,  and,  as  this  history  is  for  those  in  like  endeav- 
ors, we  have  given  them  for  what  they  may  be  worth, 
with  this  unfailing  fact  that  God  has  money  in  the  world 
sufficient  for  every  cause  His  own,  and  all  we  need  to  do 
to  get  i  u  is  to  show  that  we  are  competent  to  manage  it, 
trustful  as  to  the  result,  and  to  treat  men  as  if  they  all 
intended  to  do  good.  Have  common  sense,  and  be  cour- 
teous in  every  duty  and  position,  and  act  as  if  Christ's 
work  always  conferred  dignity  on  the  worker.  As  the 
eccentric  Howels  of  London  used  to  say,  "  If  God 
should  commission  two  Angels  to  go  to  London,  one 
to  mop  the  streets  and  the  other  to  be  Prime  Minister, 
they  would  not  care  which  would  sway  the  sceptre  or 
be  scavenger,  so  the  work  was  well  done  and  God 
glorified." 


CHAPTER  X. 

Money  enough  was  secured  in  vacation,  either  as  a 
gift  or  in  payment  for  preaching,  to  pay  for  the  stone 
and  laying  of  the  cellar  walls,  but  this  only  provoked 
scepticism  as  to  the  completion.  The  Pastor  was  com- 
pared to  the  man  in  the  parable,  who  laid  the  founda- 
tion and  was  not  able  to  finish.  It  was  a  surprise  how 
many  professed  Christians  are  skilled  in  this  thing,  and 
bow  faithfully  they  serve  the  Devil  in  it. 

There  is  no  encouragement  to  Christian  enterprise  in 
them;  and  when  they  do  move,  they  ride  on  the  wheels 
or  pull  back.  There  was  a  grand  sufficiency  of  this  thing. 
Donated  objections  were  as  plentiful  as  autumn  leaves 
after  a  black  frost.  The  fitness  uro:ed  by  the  Scotch- 
man  for  a  place  in  the  eldership  is  no  new  phase  in 
human  nature.  When  his  presbyterial  qualifications 
were  sought,  it  was  said,  "Can  you  pray  in  public?" 
"  No."  "  Can  you  comfort  the  sick  and  speak  a  word 
to  the  dying?"  "No."  "  Well,  what  can  you  do?" 
"I  can  raise  an  objection."  This  kind  became  as  thick 
as  bees  about  a  buckwheat  field,  around  the  new  walled 
cellar.  Some  wanted  to  know  what  we  had  toward 
furthering  the  church.  "Faith  and  four  dollars  and 
forty-one  cents,"  was  the  reply,  which  almost  always 
brought  a  look  of  pitiable  scorn,  or  a  great  deal  of  scorn  in 
a  very  thin  tissue  of  pity.  Some  wanted  to  know  why  it 
was  so  big;  they  said  it  could  never  be  filled.     The  re- 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  79 

ply  was  generally,  "  We  are  building  for  the  millenium." 
To  others,  it  was  hinted  that  whatever  disaster  should 
befall,  they  were  not  likely  to  be  injured,  as  there  was 
no  corporation  or  trustees,  it  being  in  its  responsibilities 
a  mere  private  enterprise  of  the  Pastor, 

Certain  other  pious  people  said  it  was  a  shame,  for  it 
was  only  a  monument  of  the  Pastor — a  great  building 
by  which  to  glorify  himself.  Others  were  looking  for 
some  vast  speculation  by  which  he  was  to  become  rich, 
not  being  equal  to  the  strain  of  thinking  of  any  as  less 
selfish  than  themselves.  Some  pastors  thought  that  it 
was  an  outrage  to  build  up  a  congregation  which  was  to 
be  only  a  feeder  to  the  Alexander  Church,  as  if  there  could 
be  any  wickedness  in  feeding  the  Alexander  Church, 
or  through  it,  the  kingdom  of  heaven.  One  of  the 
unsolved  mysteries  to  those  who  aver  that  what  they 
are  not  consulted  about  is  a  standing  menace,  was  the 
fact  that  the  wall  of  the  new  structure  was  built  around 
the  one  we  were  using.  Such  an  innovation  on  the  habits 
of  Philadelphia  had  never  been  known.  The  reason 
had  to  be  given  over  and  over  again,  before  there  was 
submission  of  mind  to  the  unheard  of  thing.  No  one 
could  tell  when  this  church  might  be  done,  and  to  rob 
ourselves  of  our  shelter  would  have  been  suicide.  It 
was  a  suggestion  of  necessity,  the  mother  of  invention. 
The  cellar  was  dug  all  about  the  wooden  chapel,  and 
walled,  and  then  the  building  was  raised  a  few  feet, 
while  the  clay  was  removed  from  under  it ;  and  when 
the  girders  and  joists  were  ready  to  be  laid,  they  Avere 


80  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

put  in  place,  aud  tlie  old  building  "svas  let  down  upon 
the  floor  of  the  new,  where  it  stayed,  and  we  w^orshiped 
in  it  until  the  roof  was  ready  to  be  put  on  the  new  one. 
The  cellar  was  done,  the  money  was  expended,  and 
we  were  broug-ht  to  face  with  our  first  enforced  delav, 
which  was  against  us,  for  we  had  not  reached  a  point  in 
its  progress  to  inspire  confidence,  and  the  human  family 
does  not  usually  give  while  it  can  find  a  reason  so  ap- 
parently valid  as  delay  and  possible  failure.  The  next 
thing  to  be  done  was  to  obtain  girders  and  joLsts.  This 
^vas  the  year  after  the  Centennial  exhibition,  and  the 
buildings  were  being  removed,  furnishing  great  quan- 
tities of  material  good  as  new.  We  learned  that  one  of 
our  citizens,  R.  J.  Dobbins,  Esq.,  had  a  contract  for  the 
removal  of  a  part  of  the  debris,  and  was  bringing  it 
within  three  squares  of  us.  It  was  not  known  that  he 
took  any  especial  interest  in  churches,  and  the  success 
of  our  endeavor  to  secure  aid  from  him  w^as  doubted, 
but  the  result  was  not  only  successful,  but  one  of 
the  pleasant  remembrances  in  this  w^ork.  The  his- 
tory was  briefly  told,  the  obligation  explained,  and 
then  we  said,  "  Mr.  Dobbins,  we  know  nothing  of 
your  religious  convictions,  but  have  no  doubt  that  you 
are  interested  in  the  general  good  to  community  which 
the  Church  and  Sabbath-school  are  doing,  and  this 
church  has  no  congregational  support.  It  was  an  eflbrt 
to  fulfill  a  child's  dying  request,  and  might  on  this  ac- 
count appeal  to  every  lover  of  childhood.^^  We  knew 
that  this  statement  was  the  most  likely  to  gain  audience, 


MITES  AGAINST  MILIIONS.  81 

for  who  has  not  some  hidden  memory,  over  which  the  si- 
lent tear  will  fall  as  the  eye  is  cast  on  the  veiled  picture 
upon  the  wall,  or  who  has  not  some  token  somewhere,  of 
the  little  hands  that  have  forgot  their  cunning,  or  some 
loving  smile  all  the  brighter  in  fitful  moments  of  mem- 
ory, because  the  face  on  which  it  played  is  seen  no  more. 

He  immediately  gave  an  order  to  the  gate-keeper  to 
give  what  was  needed,  and  what  was  better,  became  a 
friend  to  the  effort  until  it  was  crowned  with  success. 
We  used  as  much  as  we  supposed  the  order  covered, 
and  after  this,  needing  more,  went  back,  saying,  "We 
have  taken  as  much  as  conscience  will  permit,  on  this 
order,  and  have  come  now  to  purchase.  Thinking  that 
you  may  not  have  provided  for  your  funeral  services, 
we  would  like  to  strike  a  trade  with  you  on  this  basis, 
giving  you  the  best  possible  funeral  service  for  lumber, 
the  lumber  to  be  delivered  in  advance.'' 

The  proposition,  as  was  intended,  surprised  him,  and 
in  a  good-natured  way  he  turned  to  his  friends,  and 
said,  "Good  heavens,  did  you  ever  hear  of  such  a  man. 
I  gave  him  lumber  until  his  conscience  would  not  allow 
him  to  take  more,  and  now  he  proposes  to  bury  me  for 
the  rest.''  The  proposition  was  immediately  changed, 
and  it  was  proposed,  as  he  did  not  relish  the  idea  of  pay- 
ing for  a  funeral  service  in  advance,  to  give  him  preach- 
ing for  lumber,  which  he  readily  accepted,  and  gave  an- 
other order.  In  passing  down  stairs  from  his  office,  one 
of  his  friends  said,  "You  may  think  this  is  a  joke,  and 
that  he  will  never  call  on  you  for  that  preaching,  but 


82  MITES  A  GAINST  MIILIONS. 

I'll  bet  that  he  never  yet  got  trade  that  he  did  not  use 
it,"  which  was  a  prophecy  singularly  fulfilled.  About 
three  months  afterward,  a  note  was  received  from  our  bene- 
factor, saying,  "I  want  you  to  come  out  to  Ashbourne 
next  Sabbath  and  dedicate  our  church.  It  was  regarded 
in  the  light  of  a  joke  at  first,  to  get  even  about  the  engage- 
ment to  take  preaching  for  lumber,  but  calling  upon 
him,  it  was  as  he  had  written.  He  said,  "My  wife  is  an 
Episcopalian,  and  I  go  sometimes,  but  we  have  no 
church  in  our  village,  and  I  heard  that  a  company  of 
young  people  of  the  Market  Square  Church,  Ger- 
mantowu,  had  purchased  a  building  used  for  a  photo- 
graph saloon,  and  had  tried  somehow  to  move  it  to 
another  site,  to  start  a  Presbyterian  mission  Sunday- 
school,  and,  as  I  was  coming  into  the  city,  I  saw  that 
they  had  upset  it  in  moving  it,  and  were  so  awkward 
about  it,  that  I  told  my  men  to  help  put  it  to  its 
place,  Avhen,  to  my  surprise,  they  told  me  that  it  was  so 
badly  broken  it  could  not  be  put  up,  and  I  then  saw 
that  I  was  in  for  it,  so  I  built  them  a  new  one,  and  it 
will  be  ready  for  use  next  Sunday,  and,  as  they  have  no 
preacher,  I  told  them  that  I  had  an  account  with  a 
preacher,  who  was  to  give  me  preaching  for  lumber. 
So  I  invite  you  to  come  out  and  preach,"  which  we  did 
for  several  times.  We  do  not  know  whether  he  consid- 
ers the  account  yet  settled.  But  this  was  the  beginning 
of  one  of  our  most  promising  suburban  churches,  now 
preparing  to  build  a  handsome  house  of  worship,  to 
which  he  has  promised  to  contribute  liberally. 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  83 

At  the  begining  of  the  autumn  of  1878,  the  cellar  was 
dug  and  walled  and  paid  for.  The  old  wooden  build- 
ing had  been  raised  on  jacks  above  the  walls  and  the 
clay  taken  out  from  under  it  for  the  purpose  of  having 
the  new  structure  built  around  it,  that  it  might  be  used 
as  a  place  of  worship  while  the  outer  one,  of  greater 
proportions,  was  being  completed. 

The  following  cut  is  the  fac-simile  of  the  place  as  it 
appeared.  To  the  amazement  of  all,  the  congregation 
kept  up,  though  winter  came  on,  and  they  suffered  from 
the  cold  coming  up  through  the  floor,  for  the  underpin- 
ning had  been  taken  away,  and  the  boards  were  loosened 
by  the  strain  in  raising.  The  spirit  of  the  Lord  was  in 
this  place,  and  people  gathered  to  the  services  from 
all  over  the  city,  and  strangers  visiting  would  come  to 
see  it  as  one  of  the  modern  curiosities.  The  Sabbath- 
school  increased,  and  another  dispensation  of  the  Spirit's 
presence  was  felt.  It  could  hardly  be  called  a  revival, 
but  was  a  time  of  unusual  blessino; ;  about  forty  made 
profession  of  their  faith,  so  that  at  the  end  of  the  second 
year  there  were  over  one  hundred,  whose  membership 
was  in  the  Alexander  Church,  and  who  considered  this 
lowly  tabernacle  their  birth-place  and  home.  The  most 
of  the  gatherings  were  from  the  young ;  an  incident  in 
connection  with  one  of  those  who  came  into  the  church 
at  that  time  will  give  some  idea  of  the  spirit  prevailing 
among  those  young  disciples.  A  little  girl  who  had 
been  deformed  by  spinal  disease,  and  looked  very  help- 
less, made  her  profession.     We  could  not  see  that  she 


I 


84  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

was  in  faith  superior  to  the  rest,  but  none  of  us  knew 
how  soon  ^vhat  faith  she  had  would  be  put  to  a  crucial 
test.  She  ^vas  a  passenger  on  the  ill-fated  Narragansett, 
from  Boston  to  New  York,  and  in  the  midst  of  the 
terrible  consternation  she  w^as  composed.  A  gentleman 
found  her  in  her  night  dress,  on  her  knees;  while  all 
around  her  were  panic-stricken,  the  most  helpless,  lonely 
child  was  composed.  He  observed  her  conduct,  and 
asked  who  she  was,  and  where  from,  and  who  she  had 
to  care 'for  her  in  the  dreadful  ordeal.  Her  reply  was 
that  she  had  asked  God  to  take  care  of  her,  and  she 
was  displaying  the  composure  of  one  w^ho  believed  it. 
He  was  so  impressed  with  her  behavior  that  he  took 
her,  saying,  "  If  there  is  not  another  saved  from  aboard 
this  ship,  this  child  shall  be,^^  and  swam  to  the  shore 
'':i;^  -Xi.  k50.Tiebody  "gave  her  a  wrap,  and  one  after 
another  helped  her  on  her  lonely  way  until  she  arrived 
safely  at  home. 

The  spring  brought  a  troop  of  adversities  that  threat- 
ened our  existence.  The  United  Presbvterian  Church, 
at  Fifteenth  and  Master  Streets,  only  five  squares  and  a 
half  away,  had  a  dissension,  beginning  with  the  subject 
of  admittino;  members  of  secret  societies  to  communion. 
AVhether  for  this  cause  or  not  w^e  do  not  know  certainly, 
it  culminated  in  the  resignation  of  the  pastor,  after 
whose  absence  for  a  year,  the  disaffected  party  made  an 
effort  to  organize  a  church  to  be  in  Presbyterian  con- 
nection, and  to  recall  the  former  pastor.  They  applied 
to   be   organized   by   the   Presbytery  of  Philadelphia 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  85 

Central,  and  to  be  located  at  the  corner  of  Seventeenth 
and  Jefferson  Streets,  in  which  position  the  rears  of  the 
churches  would  have  been  less  than  three  squares  apart, 
and  this  after  the  Presbytery  had  appointed  the  position 
of  our   chapel,  after   a  hot  contest,  because  it  was  a 
little  less  than  fvo  squares   away  from  the  Columbia 
Avenue  Church,  by  which  the  Presbytery  would  have 
broken  over  an  understanding  which  had  come  to  be 
regarded  as  common  law,  that  its  new  churches  should 
not  be  located  nearer  than  five  squares  to  each  other, 
besides  breaking  faith  with  our  mission,  which  it  had 
located  to  be  the  future  position  of  the  present  Memorial 
Church.     This  new  faction  came  with  great  promises  of 
wealth,  and  utterly  indifferent  as  to  whether  it  destroyed 
-us  or  not.     Thousands  of  dollars  were  flourished  ao^ainst 
weakness,  as  it  appeared  in  their  sight.     The  Pastor  of 
the  chapel  had  given  his  bond   for  $14,500  for   the 
ground,  not  a  dollar  of  which  was  paid.     The  cellar  was 
dug  and  walled,  and  joists  already  placed  for  the  present 
church  building — a  personal  responsibility  which  would 
have  reduced  him  to  bankruptcy.     For  having  no  cor- 
poration, no  one  being  willing  to  share  the  responsibility 
of  an  enterj^jrise  so  desperate,  it  was  wholly  a  personal 
undertaking. 

The  contest  was  a  severe  one,  for  men  are  captivated 
by  promises  of  wealth  in  connection  with  church  ef- 
forts, and  to  many  it  was  thought  wise  to  receive  them, 
and  let  us  perish  if  needs  be.  Others  thought  that  we 
would  be  no  hinderance  to  each  other.     But  monied  men 


86  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

have  common  sense,  a  quality  which  preachers  do  not 
always  comprehend  until  they  run  against  the  jagged 
fact.  Those  from  whom  we  had  received  help  and  ex- 
pected more,  said  if  they  were  located  so  closely  they 
would  abandon  our  effort.  It  w^as  the  question  of  per- 
sonal financial  existence  and  honor  w^ith  the  Pastor,  and 
the  extinction  of  the  young  church  of  prayers,  self 
denials,  and  tears,  the  covenant  church,  whose  Advocate 
was  in  heaven.  The  resolve  was  made  in  the  reckless 
opposition  of  those  who  were  thrusting  themselves  into 
the  church  with  the  insolence  of  wealth,  overbearing 
those  already  there,  that  the  contest  would  only  be  given 
up  when  death  made  it  no  longer  possible.  God  and 
His  righteousness  Avere  bound  by  truth  and  covenant  to 
be  with  us,  and  God  and  the  feeblest  saint  make  a 
majority  of  the  whole. 

The  contest  in  Presbytery  extended  over  the  day  and 
part  of  the  night,  and  was  settle^  by  a  compromise  that 
the  friends  of  this  mission  would  agree  to  the  organization 
proposed,  on  the  condition  that  they  would  locate  at  the 
corner  of  Broad  and  blaster  Streets,  after  which  this 
specific  agreement  was  recorded,  and  they  were  organized 
under  the  title  of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant.  In  this 
controversy  many  of  thebrethern  favored  this  new  church 
organization,  not  because  thoy  desired  to  cripple  or 
destroy  our  work,  but  were  deceived  by  the  reckless 
promises  of  a  great  church  coming  into  existence,  like 
Minerva  from  the  brain  of  Jove,  equipped  and  helping 
all  the  benevolences  of  the  Church  at  large,  and  every 


MITES  AGAINST  MILIIONS.  87 

other  grand  endeavor  that  fevered  imaginations  could 
conceive,  no  part  of  which  loudly-boasted  aid  was 
ever  given,  and  the  inflated  Church  of  the  Covenant 
flickered  out  in  the  same  element  in  which  it  made 
its  advent — vapor.  But  this  engagement,  so  solemnly 
made  in  order  to  secure  organization,  was  only  a  hollow 
truce.  Excuses  were  made  for  opening  the  case  at  a 
monthly  meeting,  on  the  first  of  September,  when  many 
of  the  pastors  had  not  returned  from  their  vacation,  and 
others  were  providentially  hindered  from  being  present. 
The  Pastor  was  not  there,  and  no  Elder  from  the  Alex- 
ander Church,  the  sponsor  of  the  mission. 

The  members  had  been  canvassed,  and  every  possible 
motive  brought  to  bear  to  effect  a  change,  and  at  last  a 
resolution  was  carried  by  one  vote  to  let  them  go  to 
Seventeenth  and  Jefferson  Streets,  the  old  place  given  up 
as  a  matter  of  solemn  compact.  It  was  not  even  done 
by  a  reconsideration  of  the  former  action  of  the  Presby- 
tery, nullifying  the  compromise,  which  would  have 
looked  like  parliamentary  decency;  but  by  a  resolution, 
and  that  with  a  single  vote  in  favor,  and  in  the  face  of 
an  earnest  appeal  by  Dr.  Musgrave  and  others  to  defer  it 
until  the  parties  interested  could  be  heard,  was  this  vexa- 
tious subject  opened  up  by  the  same  spirit  and  tactics  of 
this  refractory  organization,  which  had  come  into  the 
Presbytery  to  oppose  the  children  born  in  her  household. 
The  news  reached  the  Pastor  of  the  Alexander  Church  bv 
letters  from  the  late  Rev.  Dr.  Wm.  O.  Johnstone  and 
others,  strongly  condemning  the  manner  in  which  it  was 


88  MITES  A  GA  INS  T  MILLIONS. 

done;  some  of  these  personally  favored  the  change. 
But  it  can  iiardlv  le  believed  that  the  brethren  com- 
prehended the  magnitude  of  the  wrong;  they  were 
deceived  again  by  the  glowing  promises  and  expectations, 
wdiich  vanished  beyond  even  color  from  this  day  forward. 
There  was  no  use  fighting  the  bottle  again  in  Presbytery, 
for  if  one  compromise,  which  was  put  in  the  form  of  a 
binding  obligation,  Avould  not  restrict,  there  was  no  hope 
in  new  ones,  for  it  would  have  required  sentinels  to  have 
stood  on  the  watch  tliat  the  same  advantage  would  not 
be  taken  again.  A  complaint  to  the  Synod  was  the  only 
remedy  that  seemed  to  give  hope  of  relief.  It  was  signed 
by  nearly  all  the  pastors,  some  of  whom  were  not  opposed 
so  much  to  the  action  of  the  Presbytery  as  the  manner 
of  it.  It  charged  the  Presbytery  with  covenant  break- 
ing, not  offensively,  for  it  was  a  great  trial  to  the  author 
and  signers  to  say  this  of  bretheru  in  whom  they  had 
i:he  highest  confidence.  It  Mas  charged  only  in  an 
official  sense.  Of  those  who  took  an  especial  interest  in 
)ehalf  of  the  complainants  was  the  first  signer  of  the 
{omphunt,  Ilev.  Addison  Henry,  D.D.,  who  made  an 
\ble  plea  in  the  behalf  of  the  suffering  cause  and  people, 
A^ronged  in  the  action  of  the  Presbytery.  Dr.  E-uel 
Stewart,  an  Elder  in  the  Alexander  Church,  made  an 
able  and  eloquent  speech  after  both  the  complaining 
mission  and  the  Presbytery  were  heard.  The  Synod,  by 
a  majority  of  one  hundred  and  nine  to  nine,  decided  that 
the  complaint  was  just,  and  ordered  the  Presbytery  to 
conform    to    its    action,   by  which  the  location  of  the 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  89 

Church  of  the  Covenant  was  settled  by  agreement,  which 
was  faithfully  carried  out.  In  this  struggle  for  good 
faith  and  existence,  and  to  keep  the  obligations  entered 
into  with  the  departed  child,  and  the  engagement  made 
to  generous  donors,  the  Pastor  was  misrepresented  to  his 
detriment  in  community.  He  was  charged  with  inter- 
fering in  the  affairs  of  the  Church  of  the  Covenant,  by 
malignant,  suspicious  and  ungovernable  tongues,  and 
he  now  records  his  denial  to  all  such  charges,  having 
never  said  a  word  to  the  owner  of  the  ground  at  Broad 
and  Jefferson,  by  which  the  price  was  raised.  He  did 
not  know  who  owned  this  property  until  he  heard  it  in 
the  Presbytery  from  the  representatives  of  the  Church 
of  the  Covenant.  Among  many  slanders,  one  of  the 
Elders  had  the  audacity  to  state  in  a  report  on  the  floor 
of  Presbytery  that  the  Pastor  of  the  mission  had  used 
his  influence  to  deter  Dr.  Kerr,  of  New  York,  their  for- 
mer pastor,  from  accepting  their  call ;  this  was  strangled 
in  a  very  summary  manner  on  the  floor  of  Presbytery 
by  the  production  of  a  letter  from  Dr.  Kerr,  saying  that 
he  had  never  mentioned  the  subject  in  his  hearing. 

Thus  the  Church  of  the  Covenant  has  since  been  dis- 
solved, as  might  have  been  expected. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

AVhex  the  spring  came  there  was  not  much  pros- 
pect ahead.  The  adversities  enumerated  in  the  last 
Chapter  had  furnished  excuses  against  giving  enough  for 
a  whole  year.  There  had  been  so  many  discouraging 
rumors  started  in  this  Presbyterial  contest  that  it  seemed 
after  advantages  had  been  gained  this  mission  would  die 
of  exhaustion.  Stone  was  needed  to  go  on  with  the 
building,  but  there  was  no  money,  and  credit  was  not 
desired,  for  it  was  the  solemn  determination  and  declar- 
ation to  the  world  to  pay  as  the  work  went  on. 

^Yeary  days  and  nights  were  spent  in  wrestling  with 

the    question  of  the  future.     Any  show^  of  weakness 

would  have  crushed   hope,  for  many  had   their  hands 

behind  their  eavs  to  hear   even  the  sighs  of  despair. 

During  one  of  these  troubled  nights  memory  brought 

the  recollection  of  an  immense  pile  of  stone  on  the  banks 

of  the  Schuylkill,  ten  or  twelve  miles  up,  which  had 

been  observed  for  years  in  occasionally  passing  up  and 

down  the  railway,  without  the  slightest  idea  to  whom  it 

belonged.     God's  help  was  asked  that  day,  as  on  many 

another  dark  day,  to   make  the   mission  successful  in 

reaching  the  hearts  of  men.     In  the   prayer-meeting, 

the  night  before,  nearly  all  petitioned  for  the  means  to 

complete  this  house.     Taking  the  cars  in  search  of  the 

owner  of  this  stone,  the  quarry  was  reached,  and  the  men 

working  it  were  interviewed  about  it.     They  said  it  be- 
90 


MITES  A  GAINST  MIIIIONS.  91 

longed  to  Sara  Prince.  Their  opinion  was  asked  as  to 
the  probability  that  he  would  donate  it  to  a  poor 
church.  They  looked  confounded ;  they  had  never  heard 
of  anything  so  audacious,  and,  no  doubt,  thought  that 
this  was  a  case  of  mild  religious  madness.  Inquiry  was 
made  if  he  were  a  church  man.  "Not  much,'^  wa-s  the 
laconic  reply.  "You  don't  think  he  will  give  that  pile 
away?"  "Well,  Mister,  you  had  better  try  him,  and  you 
will  know."  "Where  does  he  live?"  "Up  on  the  hill^ 
two  miles  away."  "How  do  you  get  up?"  "You  will 
have  to  ride  Shank's  mare,"  said  one,  but  another  took 
pains  to  point  out  the  winding  way  through  the  forest. 
Desperation  impelled,  rather  than  hope.  Something 
had  to  be  done.  The  splendid  farm  and  house,  the 
synonym  of  the  luxury  of  a  country  gentleman,  was 
reached.  Barns  and  stables,  conservatories,  vineyard 
fruits  and  pines,  inviting  enough  to  all  but  the  church 
beggar.  At  the  approach  the  dog  growled,  and  the 
chickens,  as  if  by  instinct,  made  for  the  barn  yard. 
The  bell  was  reached  and  feebly  pulled,  and  then  the 
wish  came  that  he  mio^ht  be  awav.  Heart  failed  to 
confront  a  stranger  for  such  a  purpose,  whose  face  and 
sympathies  were  unknown.  Strangely  enough,  the  gen- 
tleman himself  came  to  the  door,  who,  being  addressed 
as  Mr.  Prince,  responded  with  an  invitation  to  enter, 
with  a  gentlemanly  cordiality.  The  conversation  was 
upon  general  subjects  until  it  seemed  that  no  opportunity 
would  come  to  tell  him  the  object  of  the  visit.  So  at 
last  something  had  to  be  done;  time  would  permit  no 


92  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

further  delay,  and  a  more  astonished  auditor  never  lis- 
tened.    As  briefly  as  possible  the  history  of  the  treasure 
was  told,  and  the  necessities  in  the  case.    He  asked  how 
much  stone  was  wanted,  and  it  occurred  to  the  Pastor 
that  he  might  as  well  ask  for  much  as  little ;  the  prob- 
abilities were  that  it  would  be  all  one  in  the  end,  so  he 
replied,  '^Seventeen  hundred  perches,"  an  amount  that 
would  have  upset  many,  but  it  did  not  seem  to  discon- 
cert him.     He  did  not  say  a  word,  and  the  Pastor  be- 
gan to  move  for  the  door,  thinking  the  light  beyond 
would  give  relief  to  one  who  had  gone  on  a  fool's  errand. 
Mr.  Prince  walked  with  him  to  the  station,  two  miles, 
which  impressed  that  he  was  either  an  exceedingly  polite 
man  or  that  he  intended  to  do  something  for  the  cause. 
At  parting,  he  said,   "I   will  send  you  four  hundred 
perches ;  you  will  pay  for  the  loading,  and  then  we  will 
talk  about  it."     He  sent  stone  as  long  as  it  was  needed, 
on  these  terms ;    and  considering  the  time  and   stress 
upon  us,  it  was  the  most  helpful  donation  given  during 
the  progress  of  the  work.     But  the  stone  was  fifteen 
miles  away,  and  the  freight  itself  was  an   item   to  be 
overcome.     To  this  end  President  Gowan,  of  the  Read- 
ing Railroad,  Avas  called  upon,  who  put  this  church  on 
the  list  of  the  churches  on  the  line  of  the  road,  and 
carried  the  stone  at  half  rates.     The  gift  was  not  more 
grateful  than  the  kindly  way  in  which  he  received  and 
heard  the  story  of  the  endeavor,  and  the  interest  he  took 
in  it,  manifested  by  the  most  timely  help. 

The  stone  donated  was  only  for  "backing,"  or  inside 


MITES  AGAINST  MIILIONS.  93 

stone.  The  surface  was  not  yet  provided  for.  One 
hundred  perches  of  Trenton  brown  stone  were  purchased 
and  donated,  which  the  Pennsylvania  Railroad  delivered 
at  a  special  price,  but  little  over  half  rates;  besides  this 
they  brought  two  car  loads  of  lumber  from  the  Alle- 
ghenies  at  a  nominal  rate,  the  gift  of  Mr.  Henry  Shil- 
lingford. 

These  donations  put  us  in  motion,  but  money  had  to 
be  constantly  procured  to  pay  the  labor  in  building. 
This  came  oft  almost  as  a  continuous  miracle.  There  was 
no  help  but  prayer ;  the  people  engrafted  their  petitions  in 
their  daily  prayers  that  the  Pastor  might  receive  money 
for  the  week.  Sometimes  until  Saturday  afternoon 
there  would  be  no  prospect  of  money  to  pay  the  labor- 
ers, and  before  the  day  had  ended  there  was  enough. 
No  man  ever  went  away  without  his  money,  if  he  wanted 
it,  from  the  beginning  to  the  finishing  of  this  great  build- 
ing. It  was  a  constant  strain  on  the  mind  of  the  Pastor, 
but  God  never  failed  in  His  engagement  from  the  time, 
by  His  providence.  He  said,  '^ Go  forward.''  Sometimes 
people  would  bring  it  at  the  last  moment.  One  Satur- 
day night,  within  a  half  hour  of  time  to  stop  work,  he 
was  ten  dollars  short,  and  in  a  few  minutes  a  lady  passed 
by  and  placed  twelve  dollars  in  his  hands,  refusing  to 
give  her  name.  At  another  time  he  had  been  so  hardly 
pressed  for  money  that  it  was  determined  to  stop  work, 
and  the  masons  were  preparing  the  walls  for  covering 
from  the  storm  when  a  gentleman  came  by  and  asked 
why  we  were  going  to  stop  work,  and  on  heai  Ing  the 


94  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

reason,  said,  ^^What  a  pity  to  stop  in  this  fine  weather; 
go  on  for  two  weeks,  and  I  will  foot  the  bills." 

We  had  friends  who  were  constant  in  their  benefac- 
tions, giving  from  year  to  year  stated  sums.  Of  these 
we  would  only  be  faithful  to  the  memory  of  the  just  to 
mention  Mr.  AVm.  Adamson,  one  of  the  noblest  men 
Philadelphia  has  ever  had  the  honor  to  claim  as  her  own. 
His  worth  had  been  tested  when  building  the  Cohock- 
sink  Church,  where  his  gifts  reached  over  one  thousand 
dollars ;  and  when  this  more  dependent  work  upon  the 
general  public  began,  he  poured  the  gifts  and  sym- 
pathies of  his  noble  nature  into  it,  saying,  "At  the  first 
of  July,  come  around  and  I  will  help  you  with  whatever 
I  have;  but  don't  give  up.  If  you  find  you  can^t  get  on, 
come  at  any  time."  But  in  the  crisis  of  the  struggle,  one 
morning,  his  heart  ceased  to  beat,  and  he  dropped  asleep 
on  his  way  to  his  business;  it  was  a  sad  day  for  the 
needy  when  he  closed  his  eyes  on  this  world.  His  wife 
and  sons  finished  his  work  in  our  behalf.  They  asked 
if  the  husband-father  had  ^^lade  any  promises  to  our 
church ;  when  told  that  a  LunJi.cd  dollars  was  due  soon 
after  his  decease,  they  were  ready  to  meet  it,  but  it  was 
suggested,  in  lieu  of  it,  that  they  should  put  in  a  memo- 
rial window  to  his  name,  which  was  done  when  the  time 
came  for  it,  and  it  commemorates  the  name  of  a  noble 
Christian  man,  and  is  also  a  testimony  to  the  honor  in 
which  a  husband  and  father's  word  was  held  by  his  wife 
and  children. 

In  these  trying  days  God  gave  faithful  friends,  who 


1 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  95 

not  only  helped  financially,  but  entered  into  the  ser- 
vices of  this  young  mission.  Mr.  James  Hogg,  an  Elder 
in  the  Cohocksink  Church  during  our  pastorate  there, 
and  after  in  the  Alexander  Church,  espoused  this  work 
from  the  beginning,  both  himself  and  family  coming  to 
the  services  of  prayer  and  praise  on  Friday  night,  and 
the  preaching  on  Sabbath ;  his  wife  also  joining  with 
the  faithful  women  workers  in  all  their  endeavors.  Mr. 
Hogg's  gifts  were  large.  In  addition  to  a  superb  mem- 
orial window,  he  gave  the  last  five  hundred  dollars,  by 
which  the  last  farthing  of  debt  upon  the  church  was  re- 
moved. His  son,  J.  Ren  wick  Hogg,  entered  at  the  or- 
ganization, and  serves  in  the  Diaconate.  He  is  also  a 
teacher  of  one  of  the  Adult  Bible  Classes,  and  has  been 
a  giver  and  laborer  in  all  our  work  since  our  organiza- 
tion. 

The  history  of  this  work,  when  ended,  will  show  alter- 
nate lights  and  shadows.  Light  would  break  in  only  as 
it  seemed  to  be  shrouded  again  in  disappointing  darkness. 
One  of  our  heroic  workers,  Mr.  ^Varthman,  whose  faith 
quickened  in  crises,  mot  ]Mr.  Thomas  Potter,  a  bovhood 
friend,  and  told  him  of  our  efforts  to  build  a  Ikjiisc  of 
worship,  and  how  it  began,  and  the  nature  of  tlie  obli- 
gations, until  Mr.  Potter  became  interested,  and  indi- 
cated his  purpose  to  give,  asking  him  to  send  the 
Pastor  to  see  him.  The  request  was  most  gratefully 
granted,  for  there  was  hope  in  it.  He  said,  during  our 
short  interview,  that  he  would  give  us  five  thousand 
dollars  if  we  adhered  to  our  policy  to  pay  as  the  work 


96  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

proceeded.  The  Pastor  said,  "Mr.  Potter,  if  we  put  up 
the  building  clear  of  debt,  won't  you  pay  for  the  ground  ?'' 
upon  which  was  a  mortgage  of  seven  thousand  dollars, 
the  interest  of  which  often  took  all  the  money  we  could 
raise,  impairing  the  progress  of  the  building.  He  said, 
"  I  will  give  you  five  thousand  dollars,  and  wall  think  on 
your  proposition."  A  few  days  after  he  met  his  old 
friend,  jMr.  AVarthman,  and  said  to  him,  "  I  promised 
your  Pastor  five  thousand  dollars,  and  have  about  made 
up  my  mind  to  make  it  seven  thousand,  or  pay  for  the 
ground."  Mr.  Warthman  was  rejoiced,  and  said,  "Mr. 
Potter,  life  is  uncertain;  had  you  not  better  put  it  in  the 
form  of  written  obligation  ?"  He  said,  "Adam,  you  know 
my  word  is  as  good  as  my  bond."  X.  short  time  after  he 
said,  "It  you  will  complete  the  house  without  debt,  I  will 
satisfy  the  mortgage  on  the  ground.'  We  said,  "Can  we 
use  this  proposition  to  raise  money?"  "Yes,"  said  he, 
"you  may  make  any  use  of  it  you  wish." 

It  was  a  happy  day  when  this  announcement  was  made. 
It  was  uplifting;  it  inspired  confidence  in  the  eiforts 
being  made.  It  was  said,  If  such  a  man  as  Thomas 
Potter  espouses  their  cause,  it  is  all  straight,  and  he  will 
see  it  through.  He  became  greatly  interested  in  our 
progress,  and  frequently,  in  interviews,  expressed  his 
satisfaction  in  the  work.  This  eno-ao-ement  was  used 
publicly  and  privately  to  stimulate  to  benefactions. 

During  the  vacation,  for  the  summer  following,  the 
Pastor  traveled,  preaching  on  the  Sabbath,  giving  to 
the  building  the  money  received  for  supplying  pulpits. 


MITES  A  GA  INS  T  MILLIONS.  97 

;ni(l  what  money  the  jieople  were  prompted  to  offer. 
When  they  heard  of  the  beginning  and  progress  of  the 
work,  many  gave,  saying,  "It  ^vould  be  a  pity  that  the 
$7000  promised  to  pay  for  the  ground  should  be  lost. 
But  these  hopes  were  short-lived.  Though  transient,  and 
not  to  be  realized,  they  were  permitted,  perhaps,  to  stimu- 
late in  a  day  of  depressions,  and  carry  over  the  valley  of 
the  shadow  of  despair.  Whatever  the  purpose  can  not  be 
divined.  But  when  the  autumn  came,  all  expectations  in 
this  direction  were  eclipsed,  and  not  a  ray  has  ever  yet 
beamed  on  the  darkness,  though  a  blessed  providence 
called  Mr.  Stuart  into  his  place  to  do  the  work. 
Having  heard  that  Mr.  Potter  was  ill,  the  Pastor  went 
to  see  him,  but  he  was  too  ill  to  converse.  Thinking,  no 
doubt,  about  his  engagement,  he  sent  word  that  it  was  all 
right,  as  it  would  have  been  if  death  had  not  intervened; 
his  only  mistake  was  in  having  reckoned  without  this 
constant  factor — death — in  all  time  concerns.  He  recov- 
ered so  far  as  to  be  able  to  go  to  the  city,  and  had  a 
Will  in  partial  completion,  in  which,  without  doubt, 
he  W'ould  have  placed  an  obligation  covering  his  word, 
which,  while  life  lasted,  was,  as  he  said,  as  good  as 
his  bond,  but  within  another  day  he  had  passed  quickly 
and  unconsciously  to  his  rest.  It  was  a  sad  event  to 
all  who  knew  him ;  it  w^as  to  those  who  had  built 
such  hopes  upon  him,  but  God  threw  all  back  on  Him- 
self, and  taught  His  people  not  to  rely  on  man,  w^hose 
breath  is  in  His  nostrils.  A  correspondence  was  had 
about  it  with  his  administrator,  but  it  would  neither  be 


yS  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

profitable  nor  interesting  to  give  it,  and  it  would  all  have 
been  gladly  passed  in  silence  but  for  two  facts.  ^Ir. 
Potter  intended  to  do  what  he  said,  and  inasmuch  as  he 
had  it  in  his  heart  to  do  it,  is  worthy  of  a  place  in  this 
history;  and  the  other  is  in  vindication  of  personal 
honor.  Money  was  raised  on  this  promise,  and  it  is  but 
honest  to  tell  the  contributors  why  this  seven  thousand 
dollars  does  not  appear  in  the  account. 

Traveling  beyond  the  boundaries  of  our  own  coun- 
try into  Canada,   where   the   child's   bequest   touched 
foreign  hearts  as  quickly  as  those  of  our  own  country- 
men.    Sorrow   and   love   are   not   bounded    by  rivers 
and  lakes.     In  Ottawa  the  Pastor  preached  in  the  two 
largest    Presbyterian    Churches,    and    kind    responses 
came  from  both.     It  was  during  the  hardest  times  in 
this  city,  on  account  of  the  depression  of  the  lumber 
interests,  and  it  was  thought  that  lumber  to  finish  the 
church  could  be  brought  from  this  place  to  Philadelphia, 
iind  a  large  quantity  Avas  generously  donated    by  the 
mills,  but  it  was  found  iuipracticable  to  ship  it  after 
it  was    given,  but  it  is  to  their  credit  that  it  was  in 
their  hearts  to  give  it.     Our  kinsman,  A^  xander  ^Nlutch- 
more,  a  wholesale  dry  goods  merchant,  and  his  family, 
gave  time  and  money,  and  introduced  the  subject  to 
friends,   who   were   like-minded.     The   Elders  of  the 
Second  Church,  Ottawa,  planned  a  fishing  excursion, 
north  to  the  lakes,  from  which  the  Gattineau  is  a  large 
tributary   to   the   Ottawa    River.     It   was   a   journey 
::s.vcr   to   bo   forgotten    on   account   of  its   surpassing 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  99 

mountain  beauties.  One  hundred  miles  north,  into  the 
stillness  of  a  forest,  where  only  the  solitary  note  of,  here 
and  there,  a  bird  could  be  heard,  and  the  shadow  of  the 
eagle  crossed  your  path ;  where  the  Indian  was  the 
native,  though  the  lumbermen  had  taken  possession  long 
enough  to  denude  the  mountains  and  valleys  of  their 
lordly  pines.  The  bears  held  possession,  and  would 
venture  uncomfortably  near  cabin  and  tent.  In  these  soli- 
tudes were  spent  as  happy  days  as  ever  beamed  on 
existence.  The  tourists  had  bark  canoes,  and  Indians 
to  carry  them  over  the  falls  that  brought  the  waters  of 
one  lake  into  another,  and  Indians  to  cook  for  them 
and  row  their  barks. 

Some  of  these  lakes,  about  thirty  in  number,  and 
from  five  to  thirty  miles  long,  lie  imprisoned  by  moun- 
tains, the  tops  of  which  seemed  to  be  at  the  bottom 
of  the  crystal  waters,  in  whicli  the  fish  could  be  seen  in 
their  schools,  while  split  fragments  of  mountains  rose 
in  islands  from  their  bosoms;  and  what  surprised  u^ 
most,  the  sea  gulls  were  there  in  great  numbers.  Why, 
at  first  we  could  not  conceive,  but  found  that  they  were 
there  for  the  sake  of  their  young,  which  they  rear  here, 
far  beyond  danger  and  temptation,  and  when  they  have 
given  them  the  needed  parental  culture  and  care  they 
send  them  out  into  the  dangers  of  seafaring  life.  This  is 
the  instinct  of  fatherhood  and  motherhood.  The  animals 
seem,  sometimes,  to  us,  to  have  brought  it  down  from 
before  the  time  when  man  sinned  in  the  world,  and  the 


100         .    MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

consequences  of  the  fall  have  never  diverted  them  from 
the  duties  of  parentage.  We  learned  this  much  of  duty 
amid  the  solitudes  of  nature,  by  a  new  class  of  preachers, 
and  have  lived  to  give  new  motives  and  zest  to  parents  to 
rear  their  children  where  temptation  can  not  assail  them 
until  moral  principle  has  been  planted  and  cultivated,  un- 
til good  will,  at  least,  have  an  equal  start  with  evil  in  t  he 
race  of  life.  But  in  the  bosom  of  these  solitudes  another 
surprise  started  up  into  our  observation.  We  never 
thought  that  God  had  help  for  the  work  so  far  away 
in  this  wilderness.  One  day  when  out  with  the 
Indian  boatman,  happening  to  take  the  tin  box  from 
our  pocket,  in  which  were  the  coins,  the  Indian  said, 
"Tobac,''  thinking  it  was  a  tobacco-box.  We  were 
at  his  mercy,  and  felt  constrained  to  explain.  If 
'_^  ^..vyuiii  see  the  money,  he  might  want  this  too;  so 
the  story  of  the  box  was  told  in  the  simplest  manner 
possible,  but  he  understood  more  English  than  he 
could  speak,  and  soon  he  dropped  his  oar  and  fishing 
line,  and  opened  his  mouth  in  wonder.  He  asked  that 
it  be  told  again,  and  the  tears  ran  down  over  his  cheeks, 
when  he  said,  "  Me  no  thief;  me  not  want  your  money ; 
me  Christian,  me  Catholic;  me  pray  the  Holy  Virgin; 
me  pray  Jesus ;  me  give  you  money ;"  and  taking  from 
his  bosom  his  tobacco  bag,  and  from  it  a  little  purse, 
he  drew  out  a  shilling,  and  looking  up  into  the  sky, 
he  said,  "  Me  pray  for  your  little  girl's  church." 

Several  thousand  dollars  have  been  received  at  one 


MITES  A  GAINST  MIILIONS.  101 

time  for  this  work,  but  no  gift  ever  touched  deep- 
est sympathies  as  this  one,  away  in  the  lonely  north, 
under  the  blue  sky,  and  on  the  blue  lake,  when  the  soul 
of  this  child  of  nature  broke  out  in  the  confession  of 
his  faith,  and  confirmed  it  by  his  sacrifice  in  doing  what 
he  could. 


CHAPTER  XII. 

The  autumn  brought  prospects,  anxieties,  and  disap- 
pointments. The  stone  Avork  was  about  half  completed 
when  it  Avas  found  that  the  old  wooden  chapel  would  have 
to  be  taken  out  in  order  to  get  in  the  girders  and  other 
necessary  supj)orts.  A  section  of  the  permanent  build- 
ing was  prepared.  A  felt  roof  was  put  on  the  second 
floor,  and  one  coat  of  plaster  was  put  upon  the  walls, 
and  then  farewell  sermons,  and  prayers,  and  hymns  were 
uttered  over  the  tabernacle  that  had  so  often  beheld  the 
glory  of  God,  and  in  which  so  many  had  been  born  to 
Christ.  The  last  Sabbath  it  was  occupied,  one  side  was 
almost  out  of  it.  But  the  shell  was  full,  and  a  strange 
pathos  possessed  the  audience  as  they  sang  the  last 
hymns,  and  thanked  God  for  His  wonderful  mercies 
during  nearly  two  years  of  abiding  under  this  shelter. 
The  meeting  was  given  up  to  the  audience  to  carry 
through  as  the  spirit  moved  them ;  and  there  were 
speeches,  prayers,  and  memories  uttered  that  will  never 
be  lost. 

The  ne^v  place  was  never  equal  to  the  old.     The  first 

day  it  was  occupied  the  plastering  dripped  with  moisture. 

Why  the    people   did    not    die    from    damp   and    cold 

could  never  be  understood.     It  always  leaked ;  and  often 

the  matting  was  saturated  on  which   the  congregation 

sat;   and  if  a  storm  came  at  the  last  of  the  week,  all 

hearts  beat  with  fear.     As  the  stone  work  neared  com- 
102 


MITES  A  GAINST  MIIIIONS.  103 

pletion,  and  a  south  gable  was  almost  done,  it  was  left 
in  its  green  state,  without  sufficient  pi'opping,  to  en- 
counter one  of  the  severest  storms  ever  known  in  Phila- 
delphia; and  forty  tons  of  it  fell,  crushing  twenty 
feet  of  our  new  place  of  worship  into  fragments. 
Chairs,  windows,  books,  joists,  and  floors  were  a  mass 
of  ruin.  That  was  a  dark  day,  without  a  cent  in 
the  treasury,  to  have  to  go  over  the  work  again ;  but 
the  conviction  did  not  falter  that  it  was  God^s  work,  and 
must  be  carried  on.  The  howl  of  persecution  set  in ;  the 
whole  building  was  reproached  because  a  fragment  had 
fallen  in  a  tornado.  Instead  of  help  and  comfort  from 
many  professed  Christians,  we  were  denounced  as  fools. 
But  this  had  been  encountered  before,  and  while  it  ex- 
asperated, it  raised  determination  to  a  white  heat. 
When  the  Cohocksink  Church  was  being  erected,  a  like 
storm  caught  it  partially  roofed,  and  put  it  in  great  peril, 
and  the  u.-ual  descendents  of  Sanballat  were  on  hand,  and 
the  hearts  of  the  people  wavered.  One  of  the  members, 
strong-hearted  and  big-fisted  G.  W.  Swartz,  clenched 
his  hands  and  said,  in  the  face  of  the  perils,  *'We 
will  live  to  make  sinners  tremble  in  this  house  yet.'' 
These  now  became  the  rallying  sentiments,  and  within 
ten  days  all  was  right  again.  The  young  men  came  and 
delved  into  the  stone  and  mortar,  and  cleared  away  the 
rubbish,  and  some  carpenters  volunteered,  and  those  who 
could  not  work  in  the  day,  because  of  other  engage- 
ments, wrought  at  night;  the  boys  ran  on  errands,  held 
lamps,   or  anything  else  possible,  and  it  was  finished 


104  MITES  A  GAINS  T  MILLIONS. 

in  shouts  of  triumph;  and  it  is  not  certain  that  there 
was  not  some  derision,  more  pointed  than  pleasant,  at 
the  false  prophets  who  laid  burdens  on  us  in  our  ad- 
versities. God  did  not  despise  our  efforts,  for  the  win- 
ter was  one  of  blessed  memories.  The  Sabbath-school 
crowded  every  corner,  the  congregations  were  large  on 
the  Sabbaths,  the  Friday  night  meetings  were  precious, 
and  larp-e  numbers  of  converted  sinners  were  added  to 
the  church. 

Thunder  and  lightning,  Satan  and  hell,  can't  hurt 
a  church  animated  by  the  Spirit  of  God,  and  cheered  and 
strengthened  in  the  conversion  of  souls.  Except  in  the 
spiritual  work  of  the  church  and  its  enjoyments,  there  was 
not  much  comfort  in  this  temporary  arrangement.  The 
roof  would  leak  if  enough  of  either  snow  or  water  to  get 
through  would  fall  or  melt.  Sometimes  on  Saturday 
nights,  and  even  Sabbath,  a  half  dozen  men  would  have 
to  get  upon  the  roof  and  turn  the  water  by  every  possi- 
bility of  ingenuity.  One  Saturday  night  could  not  be 
left  out  of  this  history,  for  it  will  show  the  spirit  of  the 
young  men  in  this  mission,  and  reveal  the  secret  of  much 
of  its  power.  It  was  raining  torrents  on  a  bed  of  snow, 
the  water  was  streaming  through  into  the  place  of  wor- 
ship below,  and  there  was  no  relief  but  in  going  on  the 
roof  at  ten  o'clock  at  night,  in  the  darkness  of  a  drench- 
ing storm,  and  shoveling  the  snow  from  it.  The  Pastor 
and  a  company  of  young  men,  ever  ready  to  go  with  him, 
took  lanterns,  which  were  blown  out  almost  as  fast  as  they 
could  be  lighted,  but  they  pushed  on  in  the  work  for  two 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  105 

hours.  Some  of  the  young  men  went  to  a  neighboring 
brickyard  and  got  buckets  of  mud,  and  stopped  the  leak- 
ages with  their  own  hands,  and  when  the  work  was  over 
were  drenched. 

The  names  of  these  heroes  were  ^Yillianl  Shaw,  now 
a  Deacon  in  the  church;  Julius  McClure;  William  Mc- 
Cutcheon,  now  superintendent  of  the  Primary  school, 
and  a  Deacon  in  the  church ;  Walter  Shaw,  one  of  the 
assistants  in  the  Primary  school;  and  Horace  Patton, 
now  gone  to  his  rest,  about  whom  we  shall  have  more 
to  say  in  the  future.  These,  and  other  young  men,  were 
ready  to  do  any  drudgery;  it  was  not  even  self-denial. 
They  took  care  of  the  places  of  worship,  doing  the  sex- 
ton's work  when  there  was  no  money.  Mr.  Isaac  Pur- 
celFs  name  belongs  to  the  list.  He  and  William  Shaw 
made  the  plans  and  assisted  in  the  practical  work  of 
directing  the  building  until  its  completion. 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

The  stone  work  was  nearly  completed  by  the  first  of 
Januar}^,  and  the  great  problem  was  how  to  secure  the 
roof.  It  would  be  an  immense  roof,  of  difficult  con- 
struction, requiring  nearly  forty  thousand  feet  of  planed 
timber;  and  the  work  required  was  almost  appalling. 
There  was  no  money  and  no  prospect.  There  were  three 
old  men,  who  had  wrought  for  months  as  carpenters; 
they  w^ere  needy,  in  the  midst  of  one  of  the  hardest  win- 
ters of  the  financial  crisis.  They  were  members  of  the 
Presbyterian  Church ;  but  the  churches  to  which  they 
belonged  were  poor,  and  unable  to  help  them  if  starva- 
tion should  grin  at  their  doors.  The  last  day  of  Decem- 
ber went  out  in  a  snow  storm,  during  which  all  the  men 
were  discharged,  having  bai'ely  enough  to  pay  them,  and 
when  work  should  again  begin  was  a  problem,  the  solu- 
tion of  which  was  with  God.  They  parted  from  us  sadly. 
There  would  be  no  greetings  of  Happy  New  Year  in  their 
homes,  for  there  was  no  work ;  a  thousand  carpenters 
could  have  been  employed  for  one  dollar  a  day,  and  even 
this  would  not  have  tempted  men  to  build. 

The  watch-night  service   has  always  been  observed 

from    eleven    o'clock    until   the   enterin(>:   of  the    new 

year,  and  it  has  been,  personally,  a  profitable  season. 

But  it  was  not  so  on  this  occasion,  because  disturbed 

bv  the  sad  faces  of  the  men  discharged  in  the  storm, 
106 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  107 

with  no  hope  of  bread  for  the  future.  The  prayers, 
like  Pharaoh's  chariots  at  the  Red  Sea,  drove  heavily 
on  their  axles.  When  the  new  year  came,  many  of 
our  members  said,  "  You  do  not  seem  happy ;  what 
is  the  matter?'^  The  shadows  of  those  faces  that  lay 
across  the  soul  could  not  be  explained.  The  Pastor  went 
home  and  laid  down  to  rest,  but  it  was  a  rest  startled  by 
visions.  He  was  aroused  by  what  seemed  an  Angel 
voice  saying,  "Go  to  William  Hogg,  and  he  will  put  the 
roof  on  the  church.''  This  was  a  surprise  for  two  reasons. 
First,  because  the  pastor  had  never  been  in  the  habit^ 
even  in  childhood,  of  dreaming,  and  the  other  Avas  that 
he  had  not  seen  or  thought  of  Mr.  Hogg  for  a  long  time. 
He  had  been  a  parishoner  in  the  Cohocksink  Church, 
but  the  Pastor  had  been  away  from  it  for  years. 

The  dream  so  impressed  him  that  the  Pastor  arose, 
lighted  the  gas,  looked  at  the  time,  and  found  it  to  be 
half-past  one.  He  retired,  trying  to  think  no  more 
about  it;  but  the  same  impression  deepened,  "Go  to 
William  Hogg,  and  he  will  put  the  roof  on  the  church." 
He  again  arose,  looked  at  the  time,  and  it  was  five  minutes 
to  two  o'clock.  He  then  sat  down  and  wrote  Mr.  Hogg 
all  that  had  transpired,  and  the  necessities  of  the  case, 
in  which  were  the  hardships  of  the  men  discharged. 
Mr.  Hogg  received  the  letter  during  the  time  of  the 
family  gathering  on  New  Year's  day.  His  brother  saw 
him  open  it  and  read  a  part,  and  from  his  manner  he  in- 
ferred that  he  was  not  pleased  ;  he  put  it  in  his  pocket, 
remarking  that  it  was  from  his  former  pastor.     Soon 


108  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

after  he  came  to  the  office  of  the  Presbyterian  and  said 
he  wanted  a  private  interview.  The  Pastor  was  half 
nervous  lest  he  might  be  angry  at  the  freedom  he  had 
taken,  but  he  was  determined  to  vindicate  the  act  as 
being  the  voice  of  God.  Mr.  H.  said,  ^' You  wrote  me 
a  letter."  "Yes,"  was  the  reply,  "It  was,  as  I  be- 
lieve, the  will  of  God."  He  said,  "I  believe  you 
are  the  best  friend  I  have,"  and  while  the  tears  were 
coursing  their  way  down  his  cheeks  he  said,  "  I  want  you 
to  pray  for  me."  And  there  in  a  fireless  room,  in  the 
dead  of  winter,  without  a  single  article  of  furniture  in 
it,  the  Pastor  dropped  on  his  knees,  and,  obeying  his  re- 
quest, prayed  for  him;  and  when  he  had  risen  Mr.  Hogg 
said,  "I  have  resolved  to  give  you  the  money  to  put  on 
your  church  roof."  "But,"  said  he,  " everybody  that 
promises  you  money  and  don't  pay  it  instantly,  dies," 
referring  to  the  death  of  Mr.  Potter  and  others  already 
mentioned,  "And,  as  I  don't  want  your  church  roof  to 
kill  me,  I  will  give  you  a  check  now,"  which  he  did, 
and  they  parted,  the  Pastor  promising  to  pray  for  him. 
This  was  not  all.  He  gave  afterward,  and  had  promised 
further  help  during  his  last  illness.  His  gift  was  the 
most  timely  of  all,  for  the  last  day  of  that  year  was  passed 
hard  to  the  coast  line  of  despair;  and  now  that  he  has 
gone  to  eternity  it  is  but  a  poor  requital  to  open  up  a 
bright  spot,  which  his  modesty  would  forever  have 
hidden.  Our  heavens  cleared  up,  and  timber  Avas 
bought,  and  a  contribution  secured  in  the  purchase  from 
Mr.  Joseph  Gillingham,  and  the  distressed  men  were 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  109 

back  to  work,  and  bread  secured  for  their  needy  fami- 
lies. 

Everything  worked  in  our  favor.  This  help  had  in- 
creased the  enthusiasm  of  our  people,  and  It  had  inspired 
confidence  in  the  community,  that,  now  as  the  walls  were 
up  an^l  the  roof  in  progress  it  would  be  a  success.  It 
was  all  spring  sunshine;  though  the  toil  increased,  our 
spiritual  condition  was  good,  the  people  had  come  more 
and  more  to  believe  in  the  efficacy  of  prayer,  and  their 
petitions  became  the  means  of  finishing  the  church,  and 
that  God  would  bless  all  that  had  given  and  were  giv- 
ing, was  a  constant  quantity  in  both  home  and  public 
worship. 

During  this  summer  the  shadow  of  disappointment 
crossed  our  pathway  again.  Mr.  Joseph  Singerly  had 
promised  one  thousand  dollars  to  this  work.  He  had  a 
lively  interest  in  church  building,  and  had  given  aid  to 
the  Pastor  in  the  building  of  the  Cohocksink  Church, 
and  it  was  not  hard  to  reach  his  heart  again.  It  was 
regarded  as  at  the  disposal  of  the  Pastor  at  any  moment, 
and  he  kept  it  back  for  some  desperate  straight,  or  he 
might  have  had  it,  but  Mr.  Singerly  was  too  quickly  cut 
down  in  death,  and  as  it  had  been  because  of  the  Pastor's 
own  delay  that  it  was  not  paid,  he  said  nothing  about  it 
to  his  heirs.  But  God's  Avay  was  soon  revealed;  the 
resources  had  become  exhausted,  and  we  were  again  re- 
duced to  prayer  as  a  last  resort.  On  the  Friday  night 
meeting,  after  God  had  been  asked  to  help  us,  Mr. 
Warthman  arose  and  put  in  the  Pastor's  hand  a  check 


110  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

for  five  hundred  dollars,  from  the  son,  William  M. 
Singerly.  So  out  of  one  apparent  loss  a  new  fountain 
of  supplies  had  been  opened,  and  this  worthy  son  con- 
tinued to  give  until  it  aggregated  more  than  a  thousand 
dollars. 


I 


CHAPTER  XIY. 

The  summer  was  well  on,  and  the  Pastor  had  been 
invited  to  Canada  again,  to  preach  the  discourse  upon  the 
occasion  of  the  dedication  of  the  church  of  the  Rev.  John 
Smith,  of  Toronto.  He  stopped  by  the  way  at  Rochester, 
and  preaclied  for  Dr.  George  Patton,  whose  family  and 
church  contributed  to  the  fund,  and  started  hope  again 
upon  its  mission. 

Canada  Presbyterians  are  conscientious  in  their  giving, 
but  are  as  easily  reached  through  their  affections  as  our 
own  people,  and,  according  to  their  means,  more  liberal. 
This  new  church,  in  Toronto,  had  been  built  at  a  great 
sacrifice;  a  beautiful  structure,  beyond  the  apparent 
ability  of  the  congregation,  but  with  a  heroism  that 
shows  the  sublimity  of  the  religion  of  Jesus  Christ,  they 
had  carried  it  on  to  completion ;  and  dedication  day  a 
great  effort  was  made  to  finish  it,  and  they  were  not  want- 
ing in  the  crisis.  But  what  is  more  surprising,  they  con- 
tributed to  our  work  as  well,  revealing  the  oft  ])atent 
fact,  that  it  is  they  who  are  staggering  under  their  bur- 
dens who  are  most  conscientious  in  all  the  benevolences 
of  Christ's  cause. 

From  here  the  way  was  down  the  St.  Lawrence,  that 

wonderful  watery  thread  that  God  has  stretched  as  the 

boundary  between  two  nations,  alike  in  heart  md  hopes, 

though   widely   separated   in    manner   and    haoits   of 

thought.     On  the  way  was  encountered  a  company  of 

111 


112  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

fast  men ;  tlie  ringleader  was  from  Chicago,  thougli  by 
birth  a  Geriiuin.  They  were  playing  cards  and  drink- 
ing most  of  the  way,  profane  and  boisterous.  It  was 
difficult  to  make  up  sets  for  their  games,  for  to  the  honor 
of  the  crowd,  few  cared  to  join  a  group  so  reckless.  In 
looking  around  they  had  passed  the  Pastor  several  times, 
but  at  last  the  rin deader  ventured  to  ask  if  ho  would 
join  in  their  s]V)rt.  The  invitation  was  respectfully 
declined.  But  he  was  not  disposed  to  let  the  subject  go, 
and  began  to  argue  the  case,  using  occasionally  a  pro- 
fane word,  to  which  the  reply  was,  "Friend,  are  you  a 
Christian  ?"  ^^  No,''  said  he,  "'  I  have  a  contempt  for  the 
whole  thing ;  why  did  you  ask  me,  do  I  look  like  one  f 
"Not  particularly,  but  we  have  always  thought  that  a 
gentleman  must  be,  as  far  as  this  goes,  a  Christian,  for  in 
the  Kew  Testament  it  is  required  of  Christians  to  be 
courteous,  to  be  hospitable,  kind  to  strangers,  and  there 
is  not  on  record  an  example  of  urbanity  that  compares 
with  Paul's  speech  before  Agrippa."  "Well,''  said  he, 
"  If  you  mean  by  Christianity  to  be  a  gentleman,  and  to 
do  as  you  would  be  done  by,  I  suppose  I  am  a  Christian, 
for  I  have  always  aimed  at  this,  but  I  don't  believe  in 
any  of  your  narrow,  bigoted  notions,  your  Puritanism, 
that  cants  and  snivels ;  I  despise  it."  "  So  do  I,"  was 
the  reply.  "  Well,  Mister,  you're  my  kind."  "  No,  don't 
say  this  until  you  hear  me  through.  I  did  not  say  to  be 
a  gentleman  is  all  of  Christianity;  but  if  a  man  is  a  gen- 
tleman, he  received  his  ideas  for  his  conduct  in  his  re- 
lations to  others  from  Christianity."   "  Do  you  think  so?" 


MITES  A  GAINS  T  MILLIONS.  1 1 3 

said  he.  "  I  thought  this  came  from  gpod  breeding, 
and  from  the  advantages  of  society.'^  "  This  can 
not  be,"  was  the  reply ;  "  for  have  you  not  seen 
among  the  humblest  and  most  obscure  men,  acts  of 
nobility  that  would  have  put  to  shame  the  convention- 
alities of  society?'^  "Yes,"  said  he,  "I  have;  there  is 
the  place  to  find  sincerity."  "How,  then,  can  they  be 
gentlemen,  according  to  your  idea.  Don't  you  see  that 
your  definition  pertains  to  the  effect,  rather  than  the 
cause?"  He  was  silent.  "  Another  reason  which  led  me 
to  ask  you  if  you  were  a  Christian  was  the  familiar  use 
you  made  of  the  name  of  the  Christian's  God ;  I  knew 
you  were  not  a  heathen."  "  Now,  Mister,  don't  get  into 
cant,"  said  he,  "You  are  getting  too  pious."  "  No,  I  am 
not  saying  this  to  rebuke  you,  but  giving  my  impres- 
sions. You  must  have  been  made  familiar  with  the  name 
and  character  of  God  in  your  childhood ;  you,  no  doubt, 
had  Christian  parents,  either  Protestant  or  Catholic;  no 
difference  as  to  tliat,  none  other  train  their  children  to 
know  so  much  as  you.  I  heard  you  say,  ^By  Christ;' 
you  must  have  learned  that  name  in  your  childhood." 
"Oh,  I  don't  believe  in  churches,"  said  he;  "I  am  a 
free-thinker.  We  Germans  don't  believe  such  stuff*. " 
"Then  why  don't  you  drop  the  names  and  ways 
of  Christianity.  If  I  believed  in  nothing,  I  would 
not  use  the  vernacular  of  Christianity."  "  Say,  Mis- 
ter, will  you  join  us  in  our  game?  the  fellows  are 
waiting.  I  must  cither  go  to  them,  or  call  them  here 
to  your  preaching."     "AVelL  you  bring  them  here,  and 


1 14  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

let's  have  a  free  and  easy  chat ;  I  don't  know  liow  to 
play  cards."  Said  he,  *' You  oiii^ht  to  learn,  for  you 
would  make  a  'corner'  every  time;"  as  you  say  you 
don't  know  about  cards,  I  will  use  commercicd  j>hrase." 
He  signed  to  his  companions,  and  three  of  them  came. 
Said  he,  "  Here  is  a  man  who  has  the  queerest  notions 
on  religion  I  have  heard  yet.  If  he  is  right,  there 
is  a  chance  for  us.  He  says  if  a  man  is  a  gentle- 
man he  is  half  a  Christian.  I  never  thought  there 
was  so  much  common  sense  in  the  thing;  go  on  and 
let  us  hear  some  more  about  it.  What  is  the  name 
of  your  sect?"  "I  am  a  Presbyterian."  "Good  heav- 
ens! the  worst  of  them  all — let's  go."  "No,"  I  said, 
"  That  is  not  fair,  you  have  already  said  you  liked  my 
ideas  about  a  gentleman  being  a  Christian;  as  far  as  that 
goes,  I  am  going  to  treat  you  as  a  gentleman,  and  I  know 
you  were  born  in  a  Christian  family,  and  candor  is  a 
Christian  grace.  You  men  tell  me  all  about  your  parents 
and  childhood."  "Mister,"  said  he,  "That  is  a  sore 
point  with  me;  I  don't  like  to  think  of  it,  but  as  you  say 
candor  is  a  Christian  grace,  I  might  as  well  go  that  far. 
My  father  and  mother  were  Lutherans,  and  my  mother 
was  one  of  the  best  out  of  heaven.  She  did  not  stay  long 
with  me ;  I  was  the  youngest,  and  she  died  when  I  was 
twelve  years  old.  I  can  remember  her  now,  praying 
for  me  and  teaching  me;  that  was  a  dark  day  when 
we  carried  her  to  the  'Kirche,'  and  buried  her  by  it." 
And  here  he  grew  silent,  and  the  silence  gave  an  oppor- 
tunity to  ask  if  he  did  not  believe  that  she  was  better 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS,  115 

for  her  Christianity.  "  Oh  yes/'  said  he,  "  but  I  have 
never  found  one  like  her ;  it  was  the  natural  goodness  of 
her  heart."  "  But  she  never  told  you  that."  "  No,  she 
said  she  got  help  from  God."  "  Why  don't  you  believe 
her?  don't  you  think  that  she  would  know  as  much 
about  it  as  you  ?  Well,  then,  how  did  you  get  on  after 
her  death  ?"  ^'-  I  was  put  in  what  they  called  an  or- 
phanage, a  place  where  prayers  and  the  cudgel  meant 
the  same;  the  more  they  would  pray,  the  harder  they 
would  beat."  "  And  this  is  what  has  set  you  against 
your  mother's  religion  ?"  "  Well,  yes."  "  Well,  which 
is  worthy  of  the  most  confidence,  the  selfish  and  cruel 
managers  of  an  orphanage,  or  the  Christian  people  who 
cared  for  the  orphan  neglected  by  the  world,  and  hoped 
that  their  gifts  after  they  were  dead  might  be  a  blessing 
to  poor,  homeless  children,  and  were  deceived?  Were 
you  iiever  deceived  by  others  when  3^ou  wanted  to  do 
right?  And  now  be  honest,  and  tell  me  if  you  know 
of  an  orphanage  or  asylum  for  the  neglected,  which  the 
haters  of  religion  ever  built.  You  are  an  intelligent 
man,  do  you  know  of  one?"  "No."  "Well,  then, 
why  don't  you  do  justice  to  even  the  imperfect  efforts 
that  Christian  men  and  Avomen  are  making,  when  they 
are  the  only  ones  doing  anything  practical  for  humanity. 
Hating  the  best  thing  we  have  is  not  wise,  or  even 
humane.  If  you  will  listen  to  me  I  will  tell  you  a  story 
of  a  little  girl  whose  soul  was  set  by  Christianity  to  help 
the  needy  and  neglected,"  The  story  was  repeated  with 
as  much  pathos  as  possible,  and  when  it  was  finished  he 


1 1 6  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

was  asked  if  he  thought  his  notion  of  life  would  produce 
anything  like  that  ?  He  said,  he  feared  not.  "  Have 
you  children ?"  And  this  opened  a  grave  before  him 
without  intending  it.  His  only  daughter  had  died  in 
his  arms;  and,  said  he,  '^  This  was  the  hardest  of  all:  My 
wife,  who  professes  to  be  a  Christian,  can  bear  it,  aiul 
savs  the  Lord  did  it  for  the  best,  but  I  don't  think  so; 
I  can't  forgive  God.''  "You  and  your  wife  have  dif- 
ferent ideas ;  which  do  you  believe  is  the  best  in  the  sor- 
rows of  life?"  "  Oh,  my  wife's  way  is  the  best,  but  I 
can't  come  into  it."  Turning  to  his  companions,  he 
said,  "  Let's  chip  in  and  give  this  man  something  for 
his  church.  He  is  not  one  of  those  canting  fools;  he 
talks  common  sense.  And  I  want  him  to  stop  talking 
to  me,  or  I  will  niake  a  fool  of  myself."  They  each 
gave  nve  dollars,  and.  wished  that  they  might  have  been 
able  to  make  it  more.  "And  now.  Mister,  tell  us  what 
you  are,  a  lawyei*,  I  suppose ;  you  ai^  too  sharp  to  be  a 
preacher."  "Just  dumb  enough  to  be  a  Presbyterian 
preacher,"  was  the  reply.  "  Well,  do  those  straight- 
laced  fellows  have  anything  to  do  with  common-sense 
men  like  you,  who  talk  to  such  sinners  as  me?  We 
guess  that  you  are  a  kind  of  bushwhacker  in  your  pro- 
fession, making  your  living  at  something  else,  going 
around  knocking  down  the  loose  ones  just  for  pastime." 
"  No,  a  regular  in  the  ranks."  "  Then  why  do  you  wear 
store  clothes  like  other  sinners.  If  you  had  been  in 
preacher  clothes  we  would  not  have  troubled  you;  and," 
said  the  ringleader,  "I  would  not  have  asked  you  to 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  117 

take  a  hand/'  "This  is  the  very  reason  we  don't.  The 
Lord  did  not  dress  differently  from  those  with  whom  He 
associated,  and  He  was  the  friend  of  publicans  and  sin- 
ners. To  put  on  preachers'  clothes  is  like  belling  a  rat ; 
every  other  rat  within  a  mile  will  run  away  from  him.'* 


CHAPTER  XV. 

The  journey  to  Montreal  was  in  compliance  with  an 
engagement  to  occupy  the  pulpit  of  Dr.  Jenkins  for  sev- 
eral weeks.  The  weather  was  intolerably  warm  during 
the  day,  and  having  sweltered  in  a  heavy  black  gow^n 
through  several  Sabbaths,  the  sexton,  on  the  one  follow- 
ing, thought  he  would  make  it  a  little  more  comfortable, 
so  he  said,  "You  may  take  off  your  coat  and  vest,  and 
I  will  put  the  gown  on  without  the  sleeved  jacket." 
His  plans  were  accepted  in  good  faith,  but  the  amaze- 
ment of  the  congregation,  and  the  half-suppressed  smiles, 
and  even  titters  from  the  usually  solemn  and  devout,  re- 
vealed to  the  wearer  that  every  time  the  arms  were 
lifted  the  gown  droj)ped  back,  exposing  shirt  sleeves  and 
susj^enders,  and  these  without  possibility  of  covering  re- 
treat. Gesticulation  was  su])pre'ssed  that  day,  and  the 
preacher,  too,  for  that  matter,  wishing  to  be  able  to  charter 
an  au<2:er  hole  for  at  least  a  fortnip-ht. 

The  sensations  experienced  on  this  occasion  Avere  simi- 
lar to  those  of  a  classmate  in  College,  who,  at  a  large 
and  fashionable  entertainment,  had  received  his  oyster- 
soup  in  a  bowl,  and  that  on  a  plate  upon  a  napkin.  An 
awkward  waiter  ran  against  him,  spilling  its  contents 
over  his  best  clothes,  throwing  the  bowl  and  fixtures  on 
the  carpet.  He  said  not  a  word  in  his  first  consterna- 
tion, but  partially  recovering  himself,  threw  up  his  hands, 
118 


MITES  yi  GAINS  T  MIL!  IONS.  1 19 

exclaiming,  ^^  I  wish  I  were  dead  !''  The  exhibiting  of 
the  shirt  was  not  all  of  the  calamity  that  befell  the  Pas- 
tor in  his  consternation.  In  leading  the  people  in  the 
Lord's  prayer,  he  broke  down,  and  the  congregation  had . 
to  fiinsh  it  as  best  they  could.  This,  too,  was  the  day 
when  the  story  of  the  box  was  fitted  into  the  sermon  as 
its  chief  and  most  effective  illustration,  but  the  pathos 
had  gone  out  before  the  vision  of  the  white  shirt  and 
suspenders,  and  when  the  amen  of  the  Benediction  was 
over,  he  stole  back  into  the  vestry,  as  a  whipped  spaniel 
to  his  kennel,  mad  at  the  sexton,  disgusted  at  Canada  and 
himself.  And  when  humility  comes,  God  helps.  The 
Beadle  came,  bringing  an  Englishman  to  be  introduced, 
whose  face  was  livid,  fringed  with  thin,  white  whiskers, 
but  within  was  a  great  English  heart.  He  spoke  well 
of  the  sermon,  and  said  he  had  come  to  ask  more  about 
the  little  girl,  arid  to  see  and  handle  the  box  of  coins, 
that  he  might  tell  it  to  the  children  of  the  parish  when 
he  went  home ;  and  as  he  handled  and  heard,  the  tears 
started  in  his  eyes,  as  he  said,  "  Wonderful."  He  took 
from  his  purse  two  sovereigns,  and  said,  "  Old  England 
must  be  represented  in  this  church,  and  don't  forget  that 
there  will  be  British  hearts  praying  for  your  success." 
Then  as  he  turned  away,  he  said,  "  What  kind  of  flishion 
is  this  you  have  in  America  of  putting  a  gown  on  over 
a  shirt?  Upon  my  word,  sir,  if  the  sermon  had  not  been 
good,  the  people  would  have  lost  their  reverence  alto- 
gether." Many  of  the  church  contributed,  the  Beadle 
with  the  rest,  and  what  was  better,  he  gathered  the 


120  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

offerings  together  jind  sent  them,  and  he  was  not  only- 
forgiven,  but  blessed.  While  on  this  northern  journey, 
the  leadings  of  Providence  were  into  a  comparatively 
obscure  place,  where  there  was  a  Presbyterian  Church, 
in  which  were  several  Scotch  families,  the  genuine  in 
faith,  and  knowledge,  and  love  of  the  traditions  of  their 
fathers,  and  simplicity  of  life.  Some  of  these  lived  on  the 
highlands,  and  kept  flocks  of  sheep,  as  in  the  fatherland. 
A  lad  belonging  to  one  of  these  heard  the  story  of  the 
box  and  the  church,  and  it  took  hold  of  his  young  heart. 
He  could  have  said,  ''  Silver  and  gold  have  I  none,  but' 
such  as  I  have  give  I."  He  asked  if  his  pet  lamb  would 
be  recei v^ed  toward  the  accom  plish  ment  of  the  work.  The 
reply  was,  "Yes,"  with  little  thought  that  anything 
further  would  come  of  it,  supposing  it  to  be  only  a  child^s 
whim.  But  early  on  Monday  morning  he  was  down 
from  the  hills  with  an  older  brother,  leading  the  lamb 
by  a  string,  ready  to  deliver  it  according  to  promise.  It 
was  his  all.  He  had  rescued  it  from  death  in  the  snow, 
had  brought  it  into  the  house  and  warmed  and  fed  it  into 
life,  watched  over  it  until  now  it  was  more  than  six 
months  old.  He  will  stand  the  peer  of  the  one  who  gave 
all,  or  the  other,  who  "  Did  what  she  could.'' 

The  heart  of  the  host  was  touched  by  the  behavior  of 
this  boy.  Though  having  given  liberally  himself,  he  said 
"  My  lad,  how  much  is  your  lamb  worth  ?"  "  Father 
said  it  was  a  Southdown,  and  was  worth  six  dollars.'^ 
"Then,'^  said  he,  "I  will  pay  six  dollars  for  you,  and 
yon  Can  take  your  lamb  home,  and  this  will  teach  you 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  121 

the  meaning  of  the  redemption  of  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,  who  purchased  us,  not  with  silver  and  gold,  but 
with  His  own  blood."  This  was  not  the  only  gift  of  a 
lamb ;  the  little  son  of  Hon.  D.  B.  Judson,  of  Kings- 
boro,  N.  Y.,  whose  heart  was  touched  in  the  same  way, 
gave  his  also,  the  equivalent  of  which  was  given  by  his 
father. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

Saratoga  is  a  j^lace,  in  the  minds  of  many,  full  of 
evil,  and  given  over  to  pleasure  and  frivolity.  But  there 
is  no  watering  place  where  there  is  more  genuine  piety 
and  more  of  double-handed  liberality.  In  no  place  of 
the  kind,  in  this  country,  do  so  many  people  go  to  church, 
and  go  expecting  to  be  called  upon  to  give,  for  the  Saratoga 
churches  are  chronically  impecunious,  as  are  almost  all 
churches  so  situated.  The  cong-reo-ations  which  have  to 
support  them  nine  months  in  the  year  are  weak;  besides, 
they  have  to  build  larger  churches  than  their  own  needs 
demand,  to  provide  for  the  guests  in  summer,  and 
vdiether  needy  or  not,  they  always  lay  hold  on  the  guests, 
and  with  equitable  claims,  since  they  turn  these  places 
of  worship  over  to  the  strangers  during  the  summer. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  was  in  debt  twelve  thousand 
dollars,  and  in  danger  of  losing  its  elegant  place  of  wor- 
ship, as  the  Congregationalists  had  done  that  year. 
Great  efforts  had  been  made  by  its  Pastor,  Rev.  Dr. 
Stryker,  to  lift  this  dangerous  debt,  but  in  vain. 

While  in  Saratoga,  this  subject  came  into  conversa- 
tion with  Rev.  Dr.  Roberts,  of  Elizabeth,  X.  J.,  while 
on  the  veranda  of  the  United  States  Hotel.  He  said, 
"Why  don't  you  ask  Alexander  and  Robert  Stuart 
to  help  you  ?"  The  reply  was,  "  AVe  don't  know 
Mr.  Alexander  Stuart,  and  have  only  a  slight  ac- 
quaintance with  ^Fr.  Rnbort  Stnnrt."  "  Xo  matter," 
122 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  123 

said  he,  "  They  are  men  of  large  means  and  heart,  and 
are  interested  in  church  building.  There  is  Alexander  at 
the  end  of  the  veranda;  I  will  introduce  you."  He  did  so, 
and  i  t  was  one  of  the  surprises  of  life,  for  he  was  so  strangely 
different  from  what  he  had  been  imagined  to  be.  A  small 
man,  but  little  else  than  skin  and  bones,  asthmatic,  and 
tugging  at  a  stramonium  segar  for  breath,  dry  and  abrupt 
in  manner,  but  lurking  in  those  small  eyes  was  a  world 
of  sharp  wit,  and  constant  flashes  of  humor.  He  was 
one  of  the  shrewdest  of  men — few  could  equal  him  in 
repartee — and  he  was  as  angular  as  sharp.  AYoe  unto  the 
man  who  did  not  impress  him  favorably,  if  any  bene- 
faction was  wanted.  But  he  was  the  kindliest  of  men  at 
heart.  He  would  test  those  who  approached  him  for 
money,  until  he  knew  their  metal.  The  time  was  spent 
pleasantly,  but  no  reference  was  made  to  the  work  in 
hand,  the  conviction  being  early  formed  that  if  anything 
could  be  done,  it  must  be  done  by  judicious  indirection. 
The  next  day  he  sent  his  servant  to  the  hotel  where 
the  Pastor  was,  with  a  letter  from  Dr.  Stryker,  of  Sara- 
toga, asking  help  from  the  Stuart  brothers,  toward  the 
extinguishment  of  the  debt  on  the  Presbyterian  Church. 
The  messenger  said,  '^  Mr.  Stuart's  compliments ;  he 
wishes  you  to  read  this  letter  and  tell  him  how  many 
snakes  there  are  in  it."  It  was  a  confounding  request. 
The  reply  was,  "Tell  Mr.  Stuart  that  Dr.  Stryker  is  well 
known,  being  a  neighbor  in  Philadelphia,  and  he  would 
not  intentionally  make  a  mistake;  that  some  of  the 
things  that  Mr.  Stuart  does  not  understand  are  explain- 


124  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

able,  but  it  would  take  too  much  time  now  to  make  them 
clear  ia  writing."  The  servant  came  back  with  an  in- 
vitation to  go  to  drive  at  four  o'clock,  which  was  accepted, 
and  immediately  the  work  of  investigating  the  affairs 
of  the  Saratoga  Church  was  begun,  to  be  ready  to  answer 
his  inquiry  in  the  afternoon. 

It  was  an  impression  upon  the  mind  of  the  Pastor 
that  if  he  could  be  persuaded  to  give  to  the  Saratoga 
Church  in  its  perils,  the  necessities  of  the  new  effort 
would  come  after.  So  the  plan  adopted  as  best  suited 
to  the  man  was  to  work  beyond  self,  and  not  to 
mention  the  chapel  in  Philadelphia  except  in  the 
most  incidental  way,  or,  if  possible,  to  get  him  to 
ask  about  it.  The  subject  of  the  debt  of  the  church 
in  Saratoga  came  up  according  to  agreement.  He 
had  conceived  the  idea  that  there  had  been  decep- 
tion in  its  management.  The  Messrs.  Stuart  had  given 
liberally  when  it  was  completed,  in  the  impression  that 
it  would  be  clear  of  debt ;  and  this  enormous  debt  was 
both  surprising  and  irritating,  and  he  had  made  up 
his  mind  that  he  would  not  give  a  dollar.  But  there 
were  mitigating  facts  of  which  he  knew  nothing.  After 
the  subscriptions  were  taken  to  pay  for  this  church,  that 
part  of  this  congregation  afterward  organized  into  a 
Congregational ist  Church  withdrew,  and  their  subscrip- 
tions were  lost,  making  a  deficit  for  which  the  church 
could  not  be  blamed.  Other  facts  were  given  in  their 
behalf,  but  none  of  them  moved  him.  He  said  he  would 
rather  contribute  to  a  new  building  for  the  strangera 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  125 

alone.  The  cost  was  quickly  set  before  him,  and  that  it 
could  not  be  done  for  less  than  fifty  thousand  dollars, 
while  tlie  church  in  our  hands  was  worth  more.  Six 
thousand  dollars  being  contributed  from  outside,  the 
congregation  would  raise  the  other  six  thousand  dollars, 
and  at  least  fifty  thousand  dollars  would  be  saved.  He 
asked,  '^  Where  did  you  get  your  business  sense  ?  Preach- 
ers have  no  common  sense;  you  seem  to  understand  busi- 
ness. I  guess  you  must  be  a  poor  preacher.  The  two 
don't  go  together.''  The  reply  was,  what  little  knowl- 
edge possessed  was  gained  in  building  churches  and 
begging  the  money,  and  that  it  is  easier  to  save  the  money 
than  to  beg  it.  "What  churches  have  you  built?" 
His  question  bein^  answered  about  the  time  and  places, 
this  brought  the  long  desired  occasion  to  tell  it  all.  He 
asked,  "  What  are  you  doing  now  ?"  The  story  was  told 
incidentally,  half  indifferently,  as  if  it  were  a  matter  of 
little  consequence.  But  he  would  interrupt  and  ask  par- 
ticulars ;  the  box  was  shown  at  his  request;  he  looked  at 
it  and  asked  how  many  coins  were  in  it,  and  how  far  the 
work  had  progressed.  The  reply  was,  '■^  The  roof  is  on." 
"How  big  is  it?  What  kind  of  stone?  One  or  two 
stories  ?"  "  It  was  built  two  stories.  First,  because  it 
saves  ground  ;  second,  because  it  will  be  above  the  noise 
of  the  street;  third,  because  light  and  air  are  unobstructed, 
and  because  the  young  make  the  largest  part  of  any 
church,  and  they  need  as  much  room  for  Sabbath-scho(»l 
purposes,  etc.,  as  the  regular  fongregation."  "How- 
many  scholars  have  yout^'     He  was  told  the  number, 


126  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

and  that  one  half  of  tliem  could  repeat  the  Shorter  Cate- 
chism. "  What !"  said  he.  The  statement  was  repeated, 
to  which  he  said,  "  Uncommon.'^ 

Xo  more  was  said,  and  other  matters  cnu-asred  our 
thought.  It  was  not  possible  ev^en  to  guess  whether  ho 
cared  anything  about  it.  But  the  grist  had  been  put  in, 
and  it  was  his  place  to  do  the  grinding.  Before  night 
his  servant  appeared  again,  bringing  the  request  of  Mr. 
Stuart  that  the  box  and  its  possessor  would  be  in  his 
2)arlor  to  tell  the  history  to  some  lady  friends  he  had  in- 
vited to  be  present,  the  central  figure  being  Mrs. 
Robert  Stuart.  Here  the  story  was  told,  and  every 
possible  fact  brought  out,  in  which  they  all  seemed  to  be 
interested.  During  the  evening  the  subject  of  the  Sara- 
toga Church  was  pressed,  appealing  to  his  loyality  to  the 
great  Church  and  its  head,  who  would  suffer  if  Presby- 
terianism  should  have  no  house  of  worship  in  Saratoga. 
Before  leaving,  he  said  he  would  give  the  subject  atten- 
tion, which  he  did.  He  and  his  brother,  and  others  of 
their  friends,  lifted  the  church  from  its  embarrassments 
during  the  following  autumn. 


CHAPTEK   XVII. 

The  autumn  and  winter  following  were  full  of  events, 
mostly  prosperous.  The  women  of  the  mission  had  in- 
terested their  friends  in  other  churches  in  a  fair,  which 
was  held  in  October.  The  toil  and  self-denials  of  these 
women  for  this  work,  from  the  beginning,  can  not  be 
adequately  recorded.  It  is  the  regret  of  this  history  that 
names  can  not  be  given,  for  there  are  too  many  of  them, 
but  their  sacrifices  extended  to  their  homes  and  ward- 
robes. They  are  more  than  the  peers  of  the  women  of 
Moses'  time,  who  brought  their  looking-glasses;  these 
gave  not  only  ornaments,  but  necessaries. 

This  fair  was  carried  on,  above  reproach,  for  a  week. 
There  was  no  sharp  practice,  no  post-office  shams,  no 
chancing,  no  deceptions;  their  goods  were  sold  at  fair 
value,  and  netted  sixteen  hundred  dollars.  The  North 
Presbyterian  Church  wrought  nobly,  and  have  a  mem- 
orial of  their  work  in  an  elegant  stained-glass  window, 
twelve  by  twenty-nine  ieet,  in  remembrance  of  the  de- 
ceased son  of  their  pastor.  Rev.  B.  L.  Agnew,  D  D. 

Many  of  the  Alexander,  the  mother  church,  wrought 

also  with  enthusiasm  to  the  completion  of  this  work. 

One  of  the  windows  of  the  new  structure,  twelve  by 

twenty-nine  feet,  bears  testimony  to  their  share  in  the 

struggle  and  victory.     The  inscription  upon  it  is  to  the 

departed  workers  in  the  Sabbath-school  of  the  Alexander 

Church,  and  was  secured  through  the  efforts  and  bcnefi- 

127 


1 28  MITES  A  GAINST  Mill  IONS. 

cence,  largely,  of  Dr.  Kuel  Stewart,  the  superintendent 
of  the  Sab  bath -school. 

Another  beautiful  window,  over  the  pulpit,  was  pre- 
sented by  a  worthy  member  of  this  church,  in  memory 
her  father,  Jeremiah  Kershaw,  a  well-known  elder  and  an 
active  Christian  in  New  Jersey.  Two  others,  Mr.  Adam- 
son's  and  ]\Ir.  Hogg's,  have  been  referred  to  before. 

The  last  window,  twenty  by.  thirty-two  feet,  has  a 
history  both  of  the  living  and  dead.  It  is  commemora- 
tive of  the  departed  sons  of  Franklin  Baker.  This 
young  father  was  a  careless  young  man  on  everything 
pertaining  to  religion.  When  the  Pastor  was  engaged 
with  his  people  in  the  erection  of  the  Cohocksink  Church, 
he  was  one  of  a  company  of  young  men  who  disturbed  the 
afternoon  session  of  the  Sabbath-school  in  ball-p'laying 
on  a  vacant  lot  near  the  rear  of  the  church,  when  it  became 
a  question  whether  the  church  authorities  would  not  se- 
cure their  arrest.  But  better  counsels  prevailed,  and 
one  of  the  members  of  the  cliurch  went  out  and  invited 
them  into  the  school.  A  part  of  them  came,  among 
them  this  young  man ;  he  soon  gave  his  life  to 
Christ,  and  has  been  in  His  service  since.  He  identi- 
fied himself  early  with  the  mission,  and  has  been  a 
worker  and  a  generous  giver,  and  is  now  a  member  of 
the  Session,  and  a  teacher  of  a  large  adult  Bible  class. 
The  three  large  transom  windows  over  the  outside  doors 
are  the  testimonials  of  a  grateful  church  to  the  noble 
churches  in  Kingsboro,  Gloversville,  and  Johnstown, 
N.  Y.     The  Presbyterian  Church  of  Kingsboro,  and  the 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  129 

Congregational,  of  Gloversville,  gave  every  year,  from 
the  beginning  to  the  completion  of  the  work,  and  at  the 
day  of  dedication  the  Hon.  D.  B.  Judson  was  present 
to  represent  them. 

The  only  other  window  was  put  into  its  place  by  Mrs. 
Anna  Allen,  who  has,  with  her  family,  been  identified 
with  the  work  from  its  inception,  in  memory  of  her  two 
daughters,  members  and  worshipers  and  givers  to  its 
needs.  These  precious  ones  lived  to  see  it  under  roof, 
but  not  long  enough  to  realize  their  hopes  to  be  permitted 
to  worship  within  its  finished  walls. 

The  work  of  the  autumn  was  in  preparing  the  first 
story  for  church  and  Sabbath -school  purposes.  Every 
nerve  was  strained  to  this  end,  for  the  place  occupied 
was  in  storm  but  little  better  than  out  of  doors.  Often 
scholars  sat  with  the  rain  dripping  down  upon  them 
during  school,  and  vessels  would  be  set  over  the  flocr  to 
catch  it  during  preaching.  The  work  was  pushed  on 
with  little  money ;  the  people  would  come  in  after  the 
labors  of  the  day,  and  ^svork  till  ten  o'clock,  sometimes 
later,  at  anything  that  could  be  done.  Of  these  it  is 
simple  justice  to  mention  Mr.  Shaw,  now  a  worthy 
deacon,  and  Mr.  Kenney,  who  spent  all  the  time  he 
could  spare  from  his  business;  their  examples  inspired 
others,  so  that  a  half  dozen  volunteers  would  be  at  work 
at  once.  Many  of  the  city  pastors  took  an  unusual  in- 
terest in  this  work.  Dr.  Addison  Henry  contributed  him- 
self, and  went  about  amongst  those  of  his  acquaintances 
with  the  Pastor,  until  five  hundred  dollars  were  raised. 


1 30  MITES  A  GA  INS  T  MILLIONS. 

Dr.  John  DeWitt,  in  personal  gifts,  and  in  efforts  in  other 
directions,  rendered  invaluable  services  through  these 
years ;  for  these  offerings  of  constant  interest  and  help 
wherever  opportunity  offered,  this  church  is  grate- 
ful, the  Kingdom  of  God  richer,  and  the  world  better. 
Rev.  Dr.  Stephen  Dana  was  not  only  a  contributor, 
but  induced  others  to  give,  as  was  also  Dr.  Dickey, 
of  Calvary  Church,  Rev.  Tb.omas,  Drs.  Logan,  of 
Scranton,  Stuart  Mitchell,  of  Bloomsburgh,  Hawes, 
of  Hartford,  Conn.,  having  incidentally  heard  of  the 
work,  wrote  for  the  facts,  and  sent  an  offering  from  him- 
self and  people.  Dr.  Theodore  Cuyler  invited  the  Pas- 
tor to  occupy  his  pulpit  and  present  his  cause,  and 
commended  it  and  from  him  and  his  noble  people 
help  was  received  at  a  time  when  the  work  was  almost 
penniless.  Multitudes  of  ministerial  brethcrn  did  all 
possible,  according  to  their  abilities.  Some  were  weighed 
down  in  kindred  interests,  but  helped  in  their  constant 
faithfulness  to  this  cause.  Some  assisted  by  filling  our 
pulpit,  giving  their  services,  whose  worth  God  only  can 
compute.  But  one  name  remains  to  be  spoken  of  in 
reverence  and  sorrow — Rev.  Dr.  William  O.  Johnstone, 
pastor  of  the  Kensington  Presbyterian  Church.  His 
heart  o2)ened  to  every  good  and  needy  cause,  and  his 
substance  went  alike  to  its  help.  No  amount  o^  pei'sonal 
discomfort  Avould  deter  him.  He  went  from  place  to 
place  with  the  Pastor,  using  his  personal  influence  to 
solicit  funds  in  the  exigencies  of  this  work.  Hundreds 
(;f  dollars  were  secured  through  his  personal  eftbrts  in 


'MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  131 

storms  of  snow  and  drenching  rain,  caring  for  naught 
but  the  victory  at  the  end.  He  was  loved  by  his  people 
for  his  great  heart  and  sheltering  arms,  and  in  every  im- 
portant step  in  their  progress  lie  was  expected  to  be 
present.  He  moderated  the  call  for  the  Pastor  when 
the  church  had  been  organized.  He  lived  to  see  this 
work  crowned  with  the  success  he  had  so  long  prophe- 
sied for  it,  and  in  connection  with  the  dedication  of  the 
church,  delivered  the  charge  to  the  Pastor ;  one  of  the 
most  comprehensive  of  the  duties  of  this  trust,  one  of 
the  most  comforting  in  it,  terse  and  yet  elegant,  aglow 
with  the  love  of  the  Great  Teacher,  that  was  ever  delivered 
or  heard.  He  has  now  gone  to  his  rest,  full  of  labors, 
lamented  by  thousands.  His  place  still  gaps,  and  it  will 
be  years  before  nature  and  grace  conspire  to  produce 
a  man  so  useful  and  noble. 

The  departed  Gustavus  Benson  belongs  to  the  roll  of 
honor.  He  gave  through  years  cheerfully,  as  did  others 
of  this  worthy  Eldership  of  West  Spruce  Street  Church, 
whose  pastor's  heart  was  full  of  hope  and  help  for  us. 
Dr.  Shepherd's  Eldership  was  represented  by  two  elders, 
one  of  whom  was  John  B.  Stephenson.  Bethesda — 
Dr.  Eva's — by  James  Irwin.  Blessed  in  its  timeli- 
ness, which  brought  gladness  to  conquer  desperation, 
was  the  benefaction  of  our  old  parishioner,  James 
McManus,  as  also  that  of  Mr.  McDowell,  of  the 
firm  of  Jessup  &  Moore.  Nor  can  we  pass  our 
own  heroic  band,  always  giving,  always  hopeful  and 
prayerful.     Men,  women,  and  children ;    young   men 


132  MITES  A  GAINST  MIILIONS: 

and  maidens,  working  with  unconquerable  energy  in 
every  form  of  the  ingenuities  of  love.  They  came  into 
this  mission  to  work  and  give.  ^V^e  might  recount  in- 
cidents that  would  command  admiration,  were  it  not 
for  the  delicacies  surrounding  family  life,  and  the  limita- 
tions of  secret  offerings.  The  following  will  sample  the 
whole.  The  Pastor  had  gone  to  preach  for  a  church  in 
the  country,  having  the  privilege  of  the  pastor,  Rev.  Dr. 
Roberts,  of  Coatesville,  Pa.,  to  present  his  cause.  Dr. 
Roberts  was,  by  exchange,  in  our  pulpit. 

After  his  sermon,  one  of  the  brethern  arose  and  spoke 
of  the  Pastor's  absence,  and  of  his  heavy  responsibilities, 
and  said,  '^  Brethren,  while  he  is  away  toiling  for  us,  let 
us  raise  a  thousand  dollars  for  the  work,  to  be  a  surprise 
on  his  return  on  Monday  morning."  And  thus,  com- 
'rg  ■ -Cv^k  vVicn  an  offering  from  the  Coatesville  Church, 
generous  according  to  ability  and  demand,  he  was  con- 
founded at  what  his  own  had  done,  for  he  thought  they 
had  given  the  last  dollar  that  either  duty  or  ability  could 
find. 

On  another  occasion  he  Avas  asking  his  congregation 
for  help,  and  they  were  astonishing  him  in  their  gifts, 
when  a  gentleman  who  had  seen  better  days,  who  had 
once  been  able  to  give  by  the  thousands,  but  had  no 
more  money,  through  tlie  reverses  of  the  times,  took  out 
his  gold  watch  and  insisted  that  what  could  be  realized 
from  it  should  be  put  into  this  work  ever  so  near  his 
heart. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  speak  of  the  spiritual  con- 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  133 

dition  of  such  a  congregation,  for  as  yet  there  was  no 
organized  church.  The  first  story  of  the  church  was 
completed,  and  the  hearts  of  the  people  were  glad. 
Their  faces  showed  it,  their  prayers  told  it,  their  songs 
breathed  it  with  gratitude.  The  Sabbath-school  in- 
creased. One  said,  "  It  seems  to-day  that  I  can  under- 
stand the  words  of  the  Psalmist  as  never  before,  ^  Return 
unto  my  rest,  O  my  soul.' ''  There  was  another  of  those 
gracious  seasons  of  refreshing,  which  marked  every  year 
of  its  history,  and  forty  persons  made  profession  of  their 
faith. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

About  the  first  of  November  a  visit  was  made  to 
New  York,  in  the  hope  that  something  conld  be  elicited 
from  Mr.  Stuart  in  the  direction  of  help.  A  call  was 
made  at  his  residence,  on  Chambers  Street,  but  he  was 
not  in ;  but  soon  after  an  invitation  came  to  dine  with 
him,  which  was  gladly  accepted.  Dr.  Prime  was  also  a 
guest,  and  on  this  occasion  we  learned  more  of  Mr. 
Stuart's  resources  in  wit  and  humor  than  had  been  con- 
ceived or  thought  in  Saratoga  interviews.  His  abilities 
were  discerned  to  be  of  a  high  order.  The  dinner  was 
one  continuous  sally  between  the  two  old  friends,  who 
had  forty  or  fifty  years  of  association  to  draw  from. 
After  the  repast,  and  Dr.  Prime  had  gone,  the  Pastor 
and  his  host  were  sitting  by  an  old-fashioned  fire-place, 
in  which  the  coal  was  blinking  bonnily.  He  began, 
"You  are  building  a  church/'  "Yes."  "  For  people 
in  moderate  circumstances,  I  understand."  "Yes." 
"  Paying  for  it  as  you  go  ?"  "  Yes."  "  Don't  owe 
anything  ?"  "  No  more  than  the  week's  wages  to  the 
hands."  "  Yes,  yes,  rich  men  like  to  go  to  churches  out 
of  debt."  He  was  silent  a  moment,  and  then  said, 
"Well,  I  must  let  you  down  easily.  I  think  you  are  a 
pretty  good  specimen.  But  I  know  what  you  will  do; 
you  will  go  away  and  say  old  Stuart  would'nt  give  you 
anything;;,  and  that  you  don't  have  any  respect  for  his 

religion."    The  reply  was  quick  and  sharp.    "  You  have 
134 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  135 

never  been  asked  for  a  dollar,  nor  will  you  be.  The 
subject  would  never  have  been  mentioned  but  in  reply 
to  your  questions.  You  were  importuned  to  help  the 
Saratoga  Church  out  of  its  trouble,  on  the  ground  of  its 
need  to  the  Church  at  large,  of  which  we  both  have  the 
privilege  and  honor  to  belong.^'  He  was  silent  again, 
and  then  said,  '^  What  you  say  is  so;  you  have  been  un- 
selfish, and  deserve  help.  If  you  will  have  your  church 
entirely  complete  by  th.e  thirty-first  day  of  December, 
I  will  give  you  five  thousand  dollars."  The  Pastor  said, 
^'  I  can^t  express  my  gratitude,  but  it  won't  be  possible 
to  get  the  church  done  by  that  time.  It  is  not  plastered, 
and  can  not  be  in  the  freezing  weather  that  will  be 
upon  us.''  "  I  won't  change  it,"  he  said,  "  for  that  will 
be  a  very  important  period  with  me.  If  you  can't  get 
it  done  by  this  time,  I  can't  do  anything  for  you.  There 
will  be  a  change  in  my  affairs  at  that  time."  No  more 
was  said,  and  the  conversation  changed.  ^^  Farewell,'* 
was  said,  little  thinking  ever  to  meet  him  again. 

The  work  was  pushed  forward  with  the  hope  that  he 
would  relent,  in  view  of  the  impossibilities  in  the  case. 
When  the  closing  days  of  December  came  his  confidential 
clerk,  ]\Ir.  Delafield,  wrote  that  he  was  very  ill,  desiring 
the  Pastor  to  come  to  New  York  immediately.  But 
a  funeral  of  a  parishioner  on  the  day  following  pre- 
vented, and  when  Mr.  Stuart's  residence  was  reached  his 
consciousness  was  too  far  gone  to  hold  an  interview. 
Mr.  Delafield  said,  "  He  has  twice  during  the  day 
asked  for  your  presence."     He  fell   asleep  after  great 


136  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

sufteriDg,  and  a  noble  life  was  ended  for  time,  full 
of  blessed  deeds.  The  Church  at  large  has  felt  his 
absence,  and  the  poor  and  needy  have  mourned  his 
departure;  the  great  benevolences  of  the  Church  thank 
God  that  he  lived  to  bless  his  kind,  and  he  died  in  the 
triumphs  of  hope;  and  this  explains,  no  doubt,  what  he 
meant  by  the  31st  of  December  being  an  important 
event  in  his  life,  beyond  which  he  would  make  no  en- 
gagements. 

It  was  another  sad  blow  to  the  struggling  ;  hopes  had 
been  lifted  so  high,  again  to  be  dashed,  as  it  appeared, 
to  naught.  He  had  made  no  written  provision  for  this 
promise,  and  no  legal  obligation  rested  on  any  one  to  pay 
it,  and  it  looked  as  if  it  were  to  be  a  repetition  of  the 
disappointments  which  luid  nigh  driven  to  despair  be- 
fore. Mr.  Delafield  knew  the  facts.  Mr.  Stuart  had 
talked  the  matter  over  Avith  him,  and  this  was  the 
slender  thread  on  which  the  frailest  hope  could  hang. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

The  time  had  now  come  for  the  organization  of  the 
church,  and  the  Presbytery  sent  a  committee,  consisting 
of  B.  L.  Agnew,  D.  D.,  Addison  Henry,  D.  D.,  Rev. 
Mr.  Malone,  Moderator,  and  Elders  Stewart  and 
Stephenson,  who  fulfilled  their  mission  by  examining 
the  certificates,  amounting  to  about  two  hundred  and 
fifty,  most  of  them  from  the  Alexander  Church,  as  they 
had  nearly  all  been  received  into  this  as  the  mother, 
while  the  new  church  was  still  a  mission.  The  whole 
number  of  members  from  all  sources  amounted  to  two 
hundred  and  eighty.  Captain  W.  W.  Wallace  and  Wm. 
S.  Ringgold  were  elected  Elders.  This  history  would  be 
incomplete  without  a  Avord  about  the  work  and  service 
of  Captain  W.  W.  Wallace,  Mr.  Ringgold's  work  having 
been  referred  to  in  previous  pages.  Elder  Wallace  has 
been  one  of  the  most  faithful  and  self-devoted  of  all 
the  laborers  in  this  undertaking ;  casting  in  his  lot 
at  the  beginning,  he  has  never  faltered.  Day  and 
night  he  has  served  in  almost  every  capacity,  teaching 
Sabbath-school,  visiting  the  sick,  soliciting  money, 
sharing  with  his  brethren  the  labors  of  caring  for  the 
flock,  giving  of  his  substance  with  unstinted  hands, 
rejoicing  in  successes,  and  cheering  the  faint-hearted 
in  reverses.  The  Pastor  best  gives  relief  to  his  sense 
of  obligation  in  saying,  that  without  his  constant  assist- 
ance he  could  not  have  gone  forward  with  the  work, 

137 


138  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

for  as  there  was  no  corporation,  and  being  a  matter  of 
individual  responsibility,  this  Elder  shared  with  him 
often  the  care  as  to  the  maturings  of  the  financial  obli^a- 
tions.  He  kejit  the  books,  as  treasurer,  with  a  precision 
that  will  show  the  direction  of  every  dollar  received  and 
expended  in  the  building.  Besides,  he  is  the  treasurer 
of  tlie  congregation,  and  keeps  an  account  with  all  the 
members  contributing  to  fulfill  their  weekly  engage- 
ments to  the  support  of  the  church.  This  testimony  is 
but  voicing  the  appreciation  of  the  entire  congregation. 
Elder  Stewart,  wdio  came  into  the  session  later,  was  with 
us  but  little  over  a  year,  having  gone  into  the  ministry, 
and  is  now  a  successful  pastor  over  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  Warsaw,  Wisconsin.  He  was  a  great  favorite 
in  the  church,  personally,  and  on  account  of  his  faithful- 
ness in  duty,  ever  ready  to  speak  for  the  Master,  to  visit 
the  poor  and  needy,  and  to  comfort  the  sick  and  dying. 
No  pastor  ever  had  a  better  session  than  these  chosen 
l)v  tlie  church,  in  its  oro^anization  and  after — Elders 
Wallace  and  Ringgold,  Baker  and  Stewart. 

The  government  of  tnis  church  includes  the  manage- 
ment of  its  finances.  There  is  no  charter  and  no  legal 
trustees. 

Eight  deacons  were  elected  to  carry  out  the  con- 
ception of  the  work  above  expressed.  Erom  the 
mother  church  Avere  received  Mj;.  Warthman  and  Mr. 
James  Shaw,  both  well  qualified  by  age  and  Christian 
experience,  and  very  acceptable  to  those  composing  the 
new  organization.     The  other  five  were  young  men  of 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  139 

piety  and  capacity  as  learners  in  their  work.  They 
were  all  ordained  as  evangelists  to  the  destitute  portions 
of  the  field,  to  hold  meetings,  to  exhort  or  preach  in 
houses,  streets,  market-houses,  commons,  in  any  place 
where  they  could  get  men  to  hear.  Some  of  these 
young  men  have  already  appeared  in  the  pages  of  this 
book  in  the  line  of  duty,  and,  therefore,  need  no  men- 
tion here.  Dr.  Graydon  was,  at  the  time  of  his  ordi- 
nation, a  teacher  in  the  Sabbath-school  and  leader  of 
its  music,  and  has  fulfilled  the  hopes  of  the  church 
which  called  him.  He  has  made  self-denials  to  its  sup- 
port in  greater  proportion  than  could  be  expected  from 
one  so  young  in  his  profession.  AYilliam  H.  McCutcheon, 
a  worker  in  the  mission  at  its  beginning,  was  one 
of  the  first  band  who  gave  themselves  so  entirely  to  its 
trials  and  successes.  His  holidays  were  devoted  to 
scattering  circulars,  inviting  people  to  the  services,  and 
gathering  the  children  into  the  Sabbath-school.  He 
was  first  a  teacher  and  after  succeeded  to  the  superin- 
tendency  of  the  primary  Sabbath-school,  where  he  has  a 
school  of  about  two  hundred.  He  is  not  only  a  worker, 
but  a  giver.  In  every  crisis  in  the  churches  history 
his  presence  and  benefactions  have  been  felt  for  good. 

The  places  of  three  who  have  gone  from  us  have  been 
filled  by  men  efficient  and  devoted,  Messrs.  Crawford, 
Bucher,  and  J.  W.  Shaw. 

While  the  financial  management  of  the  church  is  in 
the  hands  of  the  session  and  deacons,  there  is  a  com- 
mittee of  finance,  consisting   of  two  from  the  session 


140  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS, 

and  two  from  the  diaconate,  and  two  chosen  by  the 
congregation,  members  of  the  church  ;  the  two  chosen 
by  the  congregation  were  Chester  F.  Griesemer,  a  young 
man  wlio  made  his  profession  of  faith  in  the  mission, 
and  who  has  been  one  of  our  helpers  from  the  begin- 
ning, admirably  qualified  in  financial  ability  and  man- 
ner for  the  place;  and  the  other,  Mr.  Crawford,  who  is 
now  in  the  diaconate.  The  financial  management  is 
where  it  ought  to  be,  and  has  worked  successfully,  and 
w^ithout  friction. 

As  there  is  no  board  of  trustees,  the  property  is 
secured  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  by  deed,  and  is  held 
in  trust  by  one  trustee  for  the  use  of  that  congregation 
which  shall  worship  in  connection  with  and  under  the 
care  of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  United  States,  and  also  under  care  of 
Presbytery  of  Philadelphia  Central,  and  shall  adhere  to 
the  Confession  of  Faith,  its  form  of  government  and 
doctrinal  symbols.    . 


CHAPTER  XX. 

The  government  of  this  church  will  form  an  impor- 
tant part  of  its  history,  and  to  this  end  the  conception 
of  the  office  of  deacon  as  it  appears  in  the  New  Testa- 
ment, and  as  exercised  in  this  church,  may  be  surpris- 
ing. If  it  is  Scriptural  and  reasonable,  there  need  be  no 
concern  about  this  only  apparent  departure  from  common 
usage. 

It  is  a  chronic  perplexity  in  most  Presbyterian 
churches  what  to  do  with  the  deacons.  Many  have 
freed  themselves  from  it  by  having  none.  Hence  this 
institution,  coming  into  view  in  the  Acts  of  the  Apos- 
tles, and  seeming  to  be  necessary  then,  is  practically  left 
as  one  of  the  inexplicable  things  to  be  stowed  away,  as 
if  among  the  mysteries  of  the  Apocalypse  — a  mere  pro- 
vision extraordinary  to  meet  the  necessities  growing  out 
of  a  church  quarrel,  and  passing  away  with  the  subsi- 
dence of  the  murmurs  of  jealousy.  In  many  churches, 
where  loyalty  to  the  requirements  of  our  Form  of  Gov- 
ernment fills-  this  office,  it  is  a  sinecure — the  men  not 
knowing  what  to  do  and  the  church  not  J)eing  able  to 
tell  them.  In  others  it  is  their  business  to  see  about  the 
collections,  or  carry  food  and  other  relief  to  any  poor 
persons  in  the  church.  In  the  prevailing  conceptions  of 
the  office  and  its  duties  it  is  hard  to  know  why  such  an 

appendage  has  grown  into  the  life  of  the  church,  alike 

141 


142  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

exasperating  to  the  unfortunate  incumbents  and  tor- 
menting to  the  church,  the  only  comfort  being,  in 
many  cases,  that  "  they  also  serve  who  only  stand  and 
wait." 

Confession  is  here  made  that  for  years  it  w;'.s  the 
perplexity  of  the  ministry  to  know  what  to  put  the  deacons 
to  do,  for  it  is  a  manifest  defect  to  have  ordained  oaicers 
doomed  to  withering  idleness  ;  besides,  it  opens  tlic  door 
for  Satan  to  find  employment  for  idle  hearts  and 
hands.  The  thouo;ht  mi;2;ht  have  been  indulired  in, 
that  it  was  a  committee  extraordinary,  invested  with 
special  power  for  emergencies.  But  this  can  not  be  en- 
tertained when  the  fact  is  considered  of  the  solenmity  of 
their  calling  and  their  ordination,  which  does  not  differ 
from  that  of  the  apostles.  Besides,  in  the  Epistles  to 
Timothy  and  Titus  the  office  not  only  exists,  but 
instructions  are  given  that  show  that  it  is  a  permanent 
function  of  the  Church,  and  these  instructions  as  to 
r|ualification,  conduct,  and  duties  reach  to  their  wives 
and  children.  Tiie  Episcopal  Church  has  striven  to 
meet  the  difficulty  by  makinor  the  office  the  first  order 
in  the  ministry.  But  they  have  thus  lost  the  special 
reason  for  a  call  to  the  diaconate — the  care  of  the  poor. 
The  deacon  in  the  Episcopal  Church  has  not  the  duty 
of  almoner  of  food  to  the  hungry.  He  has  one-half  of 
what  is  conceived  to  have  been  the  original  purpose  in 
the  office — ministry  to  the  spiritual  needs  of  the  poor. 

The  conviction  has  compelled  the  view  that  diaconate 
has  two  essential  elements — first,  to  be  the  custodians 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  143 

and  distributors  of  the  church's  benefactions  to  all  per- 
sons and  causes  dej^endent  on  the  church's  sacrifices ; 
second,  that  to  them  the  poor  in  any  particular  church 
may  apply  for  bread.  It  is  the  loving  hand  of  the 
church  representing  its  heart  to  the  needy  for  the  ne- 
cessities of  life — food,  shelter,  care,  and  clothing ;  but 
alongside  of  this,  and  essential  to  the  true  idea  of  the 
office,  that  it  is  charged  and  ordained  to  the  care  of  the 
souls  of  this  class  who,  by  their  poverty,  infirmities  of 
age,  and  sickness  are  often  cut  oif  from  church  privileges. 

To  make  the  idea  of  the  office  clear  in  a  few  words,  it 
is  believed  that  the  deacons  should  be  the  evangelists  of 
the  particular  churches  in  which  and  by  which  they 
are  called  to  serve — to  preach  the  Gospel  under  the  care 
of  the  session,  wherever  want,  unbelief  and  sickness,  and 
their  disabilities  have  hindered  men  and  women  from 
coming  to  the  services  of  God's  house.  They  have 
charge  of  that  moving  tabernacle,  on  which  ought  to  be 
carried  along  neglected  courts  and  streets,  to  preach  to 
the  lost  spirits,  prison-bound,  and  to  strike  down  deeper 
into  human  misery  than  the  church  establishment  ad- 
ministered in  the  sanctuary  can  reach. 

Hence  the  diaconate  in  the  Presbyterian  Church,  from 
the  circumstances  of  its  origin  and  the  histories  of  the 
services  rendered  by  Deacons  Stephen  and  Philip,  and 
by  all  more  or  less  successfully  to  one  or  the  c'lier  of 
these  two  functions  of  bodily  or  spiritual  poverty. 

The  great  want  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  has  been 
such  a  supplemental  agency  between  the  ministry,  edu- 


144  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

cated  according  to  the  requirements  of  the  Church,  so 
wise  and  beneficial,  and  the  work  that  godly  laymen  can 
do  better,  relieving  the  pastors  of  many  unnecessary  bur- 
dens, that  they  may  give  themselves  to  the  more  im- 
portant and  indispensable  duties  of  the  ministry. 

Every  pastor  has  felt  the  need  of  helpers,  not  merely 
voluntary  and  often  fitful,  depending  on  ebulitions  of 
religious  feelings,  for  which  there  is  an  abundant  place, 
but  an  ordained  company  of  men,  full  of  the  Holy 
Ghost,  to  look  after  all  these  needs.  Men  who  will 
magnify  their  office  as  the  church  magnifies  it  for 
them — known  of  all  men — witnesses  to  the  truth,  who 
can  tell  the  story  of  the  Cross  as  Stephen  told  the 
story  of  Redemption  in  the  histories  detailed  of  God's 
goodness  to  his  fathers.  What  a  loss  the  Presbyterian 
Church  has  sustained  by  not  utilizing  its  piety,  zeal, 
and  learning  !  We  have  men  of  the  highest  culture  in 
our  pews,  who  can,  in  the  duties  of  business  and  pro- 
fessional life,  preach  occasional  sermons  as  w^ell  as  the 
average  minister,  and  some  of  them  better.  It  would 
have  saved  to  us  noble  talents  consecrated  to  Christ 
which  have  wrought  outside  of  the  church,  and  some- 
times against  it.  If  this  had  been  the  policy  of  the 
Church  there  would  have  been  no  need  of  Young  Men's 
Christian  Association  preaching.  The  Church  could  have 
employed  under  her  own  direction  all  her  surplus  talent. 
In  exalting  the  diaconate  to  its  Scriptural  place,  the 
number  of  pastors  would  not  need  to  be  so  great,  and 
each   would  assume   his  proper  plac«  as  a  bishop,  an 


9  IS  a 
J  held 


lis  Pet. — A  pigeon,  which  for  six  je&rs  was  a  pet  ol       -j.45 
late  Thurlow  Weed,  for   a  long  time  showed,   in  a 
ching  way,  his  appreciation  of  the  loss  of  his  master,     j      ^ 
t  loEg  since,  a  gentleman  called  at  the  house,  and  the   . 
eon  alighted  on  his  shoulder,  cooed,  peered  into  the   ^^^  ^^ 
mger's  face,  and  then  flew  into  an  adjoining  room. 
'  He  has  done  that  to  every  gentleman  that  has  come   j^  j^^j. 
3  the  house  since  father  died"  said  Miss  Weed,  with     ,  . 
igh.  '"^  % 

■  He  takes  most  kindly  to  Gen.  Bowen,  who  visits  me  .rated 
asionally,  and  who  has  been  in  feeble  health  some  had  a 
e  and  walks  slowly.  •       n 

'  The  bird  will  coo  and  fly  to  the  general's  shoulder, 
;  when  he  sees  that  it  is  not  my  father,  he  will  stop  his   ^^iins- 
ing,  and  find  some  other  perch.  is  ex- 

'  Since  the   day  that  father's  remains   were   carried 
ly,  the  affectionate  creature  has  been  seeking  for  his 
8ter.     He  flies  through  every  room  in  the  house,  and 
iy  haunts  the  library,  where  father  spent  most  of  his   ini  or 
e  with  his  pet  nplete 

•  He  wiU  tread  over  every  inch  of  space  on  the  lounge,         ,  i 
I  then  go  on  to  the  rug,  over  which  he  will  walk  re-   ^^      ^^ 
itedly,  as  if  in  expectation  of  his  dead  master's  coming,      farce 
'He  invariably  does  this  at  meal- times,  when  our  table    1  bas- 
et  in  the  back  parlor,  of  which  we  now  make  a  dining- 
m.     He  can  see  our  table  from  the  rug." 
'  Then  you  do  not  put  him  in  a  cage  ?"  ^^  ^^^^' 

'Oh,  never!"  was  the  response.     "The  rui;   of    the  priest- 
Lse  has  been  his  since  he  came  into  it.     Other  pigeons  qj  ^g. 
le  into  our  yard  frequently,  and  our  pet  sometimes   i 
IS  them.     He  seldom  remains  long  with  them,   but  ^ 

les  back  through  one  of  the  windows,  and  begins  his   of  the 
rch  again  through  the  house  for  my  father."  of  the 

jjeacons  tney  certainly  rose  above  it,  ana  as  lair  a  pro- 
portion of  these  officers  as  of  the  apostles  became  eminent 
as  evangelists.  There  must  have  been  a  wider  meaning 
to  the  Avord  "  poor ''  than  mere  food  destitutions.  If 
such  a  meaning  is  possible  it  would  be  a  blessing  to 


146  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

those  called  ;  it  would  unearth  a  surprising  amount  of 
talent  and  Christian  culture;  it  would  give  restless  spirits, 
who  are  restless  because  of  their  unused  abilities,  con- 
genial and  useful  employment ;  it  would  bring  all  the 
vagrant  forces  of  the  Church  within  banks,  in  appointed 
channels;  it  w^ould  furnish  us  with  men  for  all  our 
places — a  disciplined  <3orps  of  reserves  ready  for  every 
demand. 

The  Methodist  Church  has  kept  ahead  in  its  mission- 
ary work.  This  Church  has  trod  on  the  heels  of  the 
savage  from  the  rising  of  the  sun  in  this  land  of  ours 
unto  the  going  down  of  the  same.  Every  school-house, 
and  barn,  and  court-house,  and  cabin  was  dedicated  to 
the  extension  of  Christ's  kingdom  ;  and  the  circuit-rider 
pushed  on  and  squatted,  and  by  ^^squatter-sovereignty  ^^ 
the  Methodist  Church  has  covered  the  broad  places  of 
this  land.  After  the  place  Avas  occupied  the  local 
preacher  was  ordained — the  best  man  usually  in  the 
neighborhood,  who  knew  more  than  the  average  of  his 
neighbors — and  he  became  high  priest  and  oracle. 

The  Presbyterian  Church  has  had  all  this  power,  and 
better  endowed  within  her  own  bosom,  but  it  has  re- 
mained in  a  comatose  state.  Instruments  have  been 
hers  that  could  have  turned  the  world  upside  down  for 
Christ,  and  could  have  held  every  spot  in  this  land 
until  the  educated  ministry  could  have  moved  on,  with- 
out the  enormous  expense  which  our  present  methods 
require.  With  such  a  lay  force  as  is  provided  in  the 
diaconate  one  educated  minister  could  have  chased  a 


MITES  A  GAINST  MIIL  IONS.  147 

thousand,  and  two  could  have  put  ten  thousand  to  flight. 
This  country  was  given  to  the  Presbyterian  Church  in 
the  beginning,  but  she  set  her  face  against  an  ignorant 
ministry,  and  rightly.  Her  first  serious  schism  occurred 
when  the  Cumberland  Presbyterians  quit  her  com- 
munion because  the  destitutions  of  the  Southwest  were 
greater  thaii  her  production  of  an  educated  ministry,  but 
she  never  thought  to  look  in  her  own  standards  for  the 
ordained  supply  for  these  needs,  by  whom  her  destitu- 
tions could  have  been  met  and  the  members  of  her  own 
body  kept  intact.  It  has  been  acting  a  policy  as  absurd 
as  the  government  would  if  it  should  insist  that  West 
Point  should  change  its  manner  in  educating  the  higher 
officers,  and  should  require  sergeants  and  corporals  and 
teamsters  and  the  rank  and  file  to  be  all  graduates  ere 
they  could  do  duty  in  their  country's  perils. 

But  it  may  be  said,  "  In  your  ideal  diaconate,  what 
becomes"*of  the  other  side  of  his  office — the  care  of  the 
poor  ?''  His  work  as  an  evangelist  does  not  disqualify, 
but  rather  assists  him,  and  if  we  consider  the  Church  ac- 
cording to  its  New  Testament  conception,  his  financial 
abilities  will  find  the  fullest  scope.  Charters  are  for- 
eign to  the  life  of  the  Church,  and  have  often  been  the 
occasion  of  the  secularizing  it,  and  the  putting  Christ  in 
His  Church  under  the  foot  of  Caesar.  Trustees  are  fungi, 
and  have  no  place  in  a  church  organization  according  to 
the  New  Testament  ideal.  They  have  no  place  in  the 
pattern  received  from  heaven,  and  our  Church  has  al- 
ways had  its  standing  protest  against  an  institution  that 


148  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

has  no  other  existence  except  in  legal  enactments.  This 
is  not  the  fault  of  trustees,  many  of  whom  are  among 
the  best  of  men,  but  the  fault  is  in  putting  legal  re- 
straints on  the  spiritual  organism,  however  remotely. 
The  genius  of  the  Church  requires  that  all  her  functions 
be  spiritual ;  that  the  money  that  sustains  her  be  a  sa- 
cred sacrifice  at  the  altar,  and  being  such,  ordained  men 
ought  to  handle  it. 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Xow  came  the  hardest  period  of  financial  struggle. 
The  building  had  progressed  to  a  point  at  which  the 
public  felt  that  the  congregation  could  finish  it  them- 
selves, forgetting  that  this  heroic  people  had  through  five 
years  been  on  a  strain,  and  was  now  panting  of  exhaus- 
tion. The  small  benefactions  had  almost  ceased,  and  if 
the  church  was  to  be  finished  it  could  only  be  by  help 
from  those  who  could  give  larger  amounts.  It  seemed  as 
if  the  time  had  come  when  the  work  would  cease  from 
general  debility.  The  congregation  began  to  feel  that 
God's  help  only  in  some  special  way  could  bring  the 
end  of  the  undertaking,  and  here  we  touch  one  of  the 
sources  of  supplies  that  has  been  occasion  of  personal 
comfort  and  gratitude  to  God  for  his  unfailing  interest 
in  our  work.  It  is  with  fear  that  offence  may  be  given 
that  this  noble  helper's  name  is  revealed  to  the  gratitude 
of  our  people  and  all  lovers  of  the  progress  of  the  Re- 
deemer's kingdom.  The  excuse  for  doing  so  is  that  the 
Presbytery,  to  encourage  others  in  the  work,  has  asked 
a  faithful  history,  which  this  would  not  be  if  one  of  the 
pillars  were  left  out.  In  the  beginning  of  the  pastorate  in 
the  Alexander  Church,  during  a  stay  at  Cresson  Springs, 
a  friendship  was  formed  with  James  McCormick,  Esq., 
of  Harrisburg,  whose  enthusiasm  in  Christ's  cause  drew 
the  story  of  the  child's  bequest   before  it  had  taken 

any  form  of  future  good.     He  became  interested  in  the 

149 


150  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

fulfilling  of  this  promise,  and  has  watched  its  progress 
with  an  interest  that  Ijas  been  substantially  expressed 
again  and  again.  His  munificent  gifts  came  in  days 
when  there  appeared  no  alternative  but  to  give  up,  and 
this  continued  and  extended  not  only  to  the  completion 
of  the  church,  but  to  its  furnishing,  and  it  is  but  a  poor 
relief  to  gratitude  to  God  and  His  helpful  children  to  tell 
it,  for  the  history  of  the  Church  of  Christ  in  the  world 
is  from  the  aggregation  of  such  timely  and  continuous 
help  of  those  who  feel  obligation  for  His  great  care. 
Thoughout  this  struggle  it  has  been  one  of  God's 
Providences  in  the  extremes  through  which  help  came. 
A  little  letter  came  to  the  office  of  the  Presbyterian  in 
the  hand  and  language  of  a  child,  written  from  Glovers- 
ville,  N.  Y. 

"  We  heard  you  tell  in  our  church  about  the  lit- 
tle girl  who  gave  you  the  box  of  money  to  build  a 
church.  We  had  no  money  to  give  you.  Our  mamma 
is  dead,  and  papa  has  hard  work  to  take  care  of  us. 
Brother  and  I  asked  him  if  we  might  send  mamma's 
ring  and  sleeve-buttons  to  you  to  help  build  the  church, 
and  he  said  we  might,  and  we  want  you  to  sell  them 
and  give  it  for  us." 

From  another  child  came  a  locket,  the  history  of 
which  we  have  no  means  of  knowing  ;  these  treasures 
are  still  in  our  possession,  to  be  used  as  the  donors  desire, 
when  some  of  God's  children,  touched  by  the  beauty  of 
the  sacrifice,  will  redeem  them.  The  ministry  is  not 
without   representation   in   this  host  who  have  reared 


MITES  A  GAINST  MIILIONS.  151 

this  monument.  One  poor  home  missionary  said  : 
"  It's  God's  work,  and  I  Vvant  my  name  among  those 
who  are  building  it  up  with  their  offerings,  and  I 
can  spare  twenty-five  cents ;  it's  not  much,  but  He 
cr.n  make  it  more."  He  is  only  one  of  a  multitude 
whose  names  are  written  on  this  houf^e  in  gifts,  the  best 
they  could  offer.  The  wife  of  a  Congregational ist  min- 
ister, from  Vermont,  with  her  sister,  from  Troy,  contri- 
buted every  year  from  the  beginning,  in  Saratoga,  where 
they  visited  during  the  season.  In  Chicago  the  Pastor 
preached,  in  vacation,  during  the  time  of  the  Knights 
Templar  celebration.  Hearing  of  the  facts,  strangers 
came  with  their  offerings,  some  of  them  from  the  Pacific 
Coast,  and  one  from  Australia  left  his  gift  on  the  altar. 

In  Dr.  Niccols'  church,  St.  Louis,  at  the  very  begin- 
ning of  the  work,  many,  young  and  old,  gave  liberally 
after  the  account  of  the  bequest  was  heard.  The  first 
Avere  the  little  children  of  Judge  Breckinridge,  an 
honored  Elder  in  this  church. 

The  spiritual  condition,  the  most  important  factor  in 
successful  church  building,  was  good.  If  the  Spirit 
of  God  is  present,  it  can  command  all  the  money  needed; 
it  opens  new  avenues,  and  those,  too,  that  cold-hearted- 
ness  has  closed.  It  is  a  fatal  mistake  to  neglect  the 
spiritual  interests  of  a  church  in  building  operations. 
A  dissension  and  the  dismissal  of  the  Pastor  or  a  divi- 
sion will  be  the  result.  Keep  the  temperature  of 
life  well  up  in  prayer,  and  its  works,  and  the  house 
will    go  up  without  clink  of   tool    or  noise  of  ham- 


152  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

mer.  More,  love  and  life  will  build  for  eternity.  The 
church  had  another  awakenincr,  beo:inuinoc  with  the 
Week  of  Prayer,  and  an  increase  on  profession  of 
forty-eight.  During  those  services  a  young  carpenter, 
who  had  been  employed  for  many  months,  was  in- 
terested, and  remained  in  conversation  and  prayer ;  the 
communion  had  passed,  and  too  many  have  the  im- 
pression that  they  can  only  unite  with  the  church  at 
such  seasons ;  this,  no  doubt,  was  the  cause  of  his  de- 
lay. One  morning  he  went  upon  the  scaffold  to  do  some 
work,  pointing  the  stones  before  taking  down  the  scaffold. 
The  Pastor  was  standing  below.  He  had  about  two 
minutes'  work  to  do,  lifting  a  box  and  laying  it  on  the 
scaffold  to  enable  him  to  reach  the  remaining  work. 
The  Pastor,  seeing  the  danger,  said ;  "  Billy,  you  are 
fixing  a  trap  to  hurt  yourself ;  get  a  board  and  fasten 
it,  and  don't  stand  on  that  box."  At  that  moment  a 
lady  passing  engaged  him  in  conversation ;  looking 
up,  a  moment  after,  he  saw  Billy  falling,  head  fore- 
most, a  distance  of  twenty-five  feet.  His  head  was 
crushed  on  the  pavement.  His  pulse  never  beat  after. 
There  had  not  been  a  case  of  serious  injury  from  the 
beginning,  and  it  seemed  strange  that  within  ten  min- 
utes of  the  taking  down  of  the  last  section  of  the  scaffold- 
ing that  this  death  should  occur.  It  was  a  sad  day  to 
all,  i\or  did  it  relieve  this  oppressed  sense  that  he 
had  brought  it,  by  disregard  of  advice,  on  himself. 
Death  is  terrible  under  any  circumstances,  and  espe- 
cially at  the  threshold  of  a  church.     But  it  was  a  com- 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  153 

fort  to  be  able  to  say  over  his  remains  that  he  had 
given  his  heart  to  Christ ;  and  this  was  confirmed  in  a 
strange  way.  At  the  beginning  a  family  belonging  to 
the  Episcopal  Church  moved  into  a  house  immediately 
opposite  the  chapel.  Their  oldest  child,  a  son  about 
ten  years  old,  from  the  time  they  came,  showed  a  persist- 
ent int:rest  in  everything  pertaining  to  this  mission  and 
church  building.  He  would  not  stay  away.  The  Pastor 
frequently  drove  him  ofP,  fearing  that  he  would  be  hurt; 
it  did  no  good,  and  he  was  given  up,  on  account  of  his 
])ersistence  to  see  and  help  in  all  that  was  going  on. 
He  was  a  bright  boy,  one  of  the  brightest  and  best.  He 
was  ready  for  any  service  or  sacrifice.  He  had  the 
capacity  to  comprehend  and  direct  the  mechanics  in 
difficult  undertakings,  and  young  as  he  was,  in  putting 
uji  the  great  trusses  to  support  the  roof,  when  the  fore- 
man became  bewildered,  he  could  point  out  to  him  the 
intended  places  for  the  timbers.  There  was  no  work 
in  connection  with  this  church  that  was  menial  to  him. 
He  would  clean  the  floors  of  the  chapel,  bring  coal, 
make  fires,  carry  mortar,  if  need  be  ;  he  told  the  Pastor 
the  week  the  church  was  completed,  that  there  was  no 
part  of  it  on  which  his  hands  had  not  been  laid. 

He  was  a  Sabbath -school  scholar,  and  his  lessons 
were  perfect.  He  was  always  at  church,  and  would 
repeat  or  read  his  verse,  when  an  opportunity  was^iven, 
during  the  Friday  night  prayer-meeting.  When  he  was 
about  twelve  years  old  he  was  convicted  of  sin  and 
found  a  Saviour,  and  revealed  the  fact  in  a  Godly  life 


164  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

and  conversation.  He  desired  to  unite  himself  with  the 
people  of  God.  But  his  parents,  either  on  account  of 
his  age  or  their  want  of  Presbyterian  sympathies,  did 
not  grant  his  request ;  he  was  obedient  to  their  wishes, 
cheerful  and  dutiful  to  home  and  church  throu:zh  a  whole 
year  of  suspense,  during  which  he  said  before  every 
communion,  "  I  wish  mother  would  let  me  come  into 
the  church.''  After  such  a  desire  expressed  rej^eatedly, 
his  mother  was  waited  upon  by  the  Pastor,  who  found 
that  his  parents  sympathized  with  him,  and  were  only 
waiting  to  be  assured  that  it  was  not  a  transient  impulse. 
He  was  received  to  his  great  joy,  and  grew  in  grace  and 
in  all  the  elements  of  a  noble  young  manhood,  for  both 
intellect  and  graces  were  beyond  his  years.  His  teacher, 
Mr.  McCutcheon,  was  transferred  from  the  class,  in 
which  he  was  a  scholar,  to  the  infant  school  as  its  super- 
intendent, and  Horace  Palton  went  with  him  as  one  of 
his  aids.  He  grew  here  into  the  stature  of  manhood, 
though  only  sixteen.  His  mind  and  attainments  kept 
pace  with  his  body,  for  he  was  first  in  all  his  classes  in 
the  High  School.  He  spent  every  leisure  moment  he 
could  spare  from  study  and  home  duty  in  the  primary 
Sunday-school  room,  often  into  the  late  hours  of  the  night. 
Everything  about  the  church  was  dear  to  him  ;  he 
loved  its  stones  and  bulwarks  strong.  He  would  walk 
round  it  almost  every  day  to  look  at  it.  He  was  as 
tender  to  the  little  ones  as  a  mother,  and  to  all  of  them 
he  was  a  big,  noble-heartod  brother. 

When  the  superintendent  was  absent  he  would  take  his 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  1 55 

place,  and  never  hesitate  to  open  the  school  with  prayer. 
He  was  as  beloved  by  the  lady  assistants,  Miss  Napheys, 
Mrs.  Liberton,  Misses  McGary  and  McCutcheon,  and 
Mrs.  Cox ;  ever  ready  to  serve,  not  by  request,  but  by 
beautiful  intuitions,  refined  by  grace.  Were  it  not  for 
the  sequel  which  will  come  at  the  close  of  this  book,  it 
would  be  improper,  even  though  true,  to  speak  thus  of 
any  young  man.  This  breaking  of  the  thread  from  the 
sad  death  of  Billy  is  to  bring  out  the  facts  of  his 
spiritual  condition.  Horace  had  discovered  that  this 
humble  carpenter,  in  some  respects  neglected  because 
humble,  was  seeking  light  in  the  hope  of  consecrating 
himself  to  Christ.  Horace's  duties  at  school  and  home 
took  much  of  his  time,  but  he  would  come  at  noon 
to  talk  of  salvation  with  Billy ;  sitting  by  them- 
selves on  a  log  beyond  the  church,  as  Billy  in  his  noon- 
tide hour  was  eating  his  dinner,  he  instructed  him 
with  the  ardor  of  a  disciple  who  loved  to  bring 
men  to  Christ,  that  He  might  see  the  travail  of  His  soul 
and  be  satisfied.  Thus  did  this  young  Christian  glorify 
his  Lord,  and  so  are  we  comforted  in  his  fidelity  about 
the  salvation  of  poor  Billy,  who  fell  into  eternity  at  the 
door  of  the  church. 


CHAPTER  XXII. 

The  death  of  Mr.-Stuart  was  a  heavy  blow ;  even 
hope  was  faint  as  to  whether  we  could  get  the  ground 
paid  for  on  Avhich  the  church  stood.  We  have  already 
noted  the  fact  that  its  title  was  in  court,  and  a  pretended 
friend  was  trying  to  involve  it  hopelessly  to  his  own 
benefit.  But  there  are  no  rayless  days  in  God's  moral 
world ;  the  difficulties  are  all  in  the  mediums  of  vision. 
At  this  juncture  a  friend  came  to  our  aid,  the  mention 
of  whose  name  will  not  give  him  any  pleasure,  but 
it  will  to  the  church  for  which  we  live.  It  may  * 
stimulate  young  men,  by  such  examples  of  rising  by 
diligence  and  capacity  to  where  they  have  the  ability 
to  make  God's  people  thankful  and  happy.  Thomas 
Beaver,  Esq.,  one  of  the  very  first  friends  the  Pastor 
had  the  good  fortune  to  call  his  own  in  1866,  had 
been  in  Europe  during  the  early  struggles  in  this 
endeavor.  He  knew  but  little  about  it,  but  even  on 
this  slight  knowledge  sent  an  offering  for  "  Auld  lang 
sine,"  as  he  said.  But  afterward  learning  its  history 
and  progress  became  a  friend  in  need ;  three  times  he 
came  to  our  aid  in  these  dark  days,  and  it  would  be 
unpardonable  personal  ingratitude  not  to  record  it.  It 
would  be  more  unfaithful  to  a  grateful  church,  which  has 
prayed  for  him  and  his,  not  to  record  these  obligations. 
This,  with  other  smaller  contributions,  tided  us  over  the 
spring  until  summer  had  come  again,  and  the  imposing 
156 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  157 

structure  proclaimed  the  fact  that  we  were  on  the  home 
stretch.  But  our  chronic  grief  was,  that  while  the 
building  was  being  paid  for,  that  mortgage  of  seven 
thousand  dollars  clung  like  the  shadows  of  death  to  us, 
for  already  two  had  gone  who  had  promised  that  this 
burden  would  be  removed. 

One  of  the  warmest  days  of  July  a  visit  was  made  to 
New  York  City,  why  it  would  be  hard  to  tell,  unless  to 
see  our  old  friend.  Dr.  Henry  R.  AVilson,  of  the  Board 
of  Church  Erection,  thinking  he  could,  in  the  fertility 
of  his  love  for  the  great  cause,  make  at  least  some  hope- 
ful suggestions.  He  was  not  without  comfort  for  us.  He 
said  Mr.  Robert  L.  Stuart,  the  brother  of  the  lamented 
benefactor,  Alexander,  had  been  in  the  day  before,  and 
he  had  talked  with  him  about  the  promise  of  his  brother, 
and  that  his  son.  Rev.  Henry  M.  Wilson,  had  given 
him  a  picture  of  the  church,  which  had  interested  him 
sufficiently  to  make  him  ask  several  pertinent  questions. 
Mr.  Delafield,  a  man  in  whose  integrity  these  brothers 
had  confidence,  knew  of  the  promise  of  Mr.  Alexander 
Stuart,  and  explained  it  and  the  circumstances  to  his 
brother.  Through  these  influences  and  Mr.  Robert  L. 
Stuart's  own  interest  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  together 
with  his  desire  to  fulfill  any  promise  of  his  beloved 
brother,  he  did  more  than  even  his  brother  had  promised. 
He  came  to  Dr.  Wilson's  office  and  said  to  him,  ^^  If  you 
are  satisfied  that  all  is  right  about  this  church  and  will 
see  that  the  conditions  of  security  required  by  the  Board 
are  given,  I  will  add  two  thousand  to  the  amount  prom- 


158  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

ised  by  ray  brother,  and  satisfy  the  mortgage  of  seven 
thousand."  Joy  was  master  that  day,  for  it  was  gener- 
ous and  timely,  and,  in  answer  to  prayer,  God  redeemed 
the  promise  of  another  servant  of  His  who  did  not  live 
to  do  it  himself.  The  papers  were  telegraplied  for,  and 
within  two  days  the  church  was  without  debt,  either  on 
ground  or  building. 

The  vacation  of  that  year  was  without  sliaclow,  and 
all  that  was  received  for  jireaching  or  by  gifts  was  toward 
the  last  struggle.  The  autumn  opened  full  of  hope. 
The  churcli  was  in  a  good  spiritual  condition ;  the  people 
rallied  again ;  the  women  of  the  church,  ever  in  the 
front  rink,  were  now  ahead  in  their  clever  devices  to 
raise  the  last  amount.  The  Pastor  and  one  of  the  mem- 
bers, Mr.  James  Stinson,  agreed  to  procure  the  money 
for  the  carpeting,  if  the  church  would  raise  the  balance 
of  the  funds  necessary  to  complete  the  building,  an 
undertaking  wliich  might  have  lagged  if  the  church  had 
not  given  the  tonic  necessary  in  fulfilling  their  part  of 
the  engagement.  Over  thirteen  hundred  yards  of  carpet- 
ing of  the  best  quality  Avas  no  holiday  undertaking ; 
but  the  carpet  dealers  of  Philadelphia  undertook  it, 
one  of  whom  Avas  Mr.  Stinson.  Factory  after  factory 
was  visited,  and  sometimes  those  wdio  had  given  doubled 
their  subscriptions,  and  so  the  heavy  work  went  on, 
and  the  floors  of  this  large  church  were  covered  by  the 
choicest  ingrain  body  Brussels  and  Wilton.  The  pews 
are  cushioned  in  English  damask,  secured  by  our  faithful 
co-worker,  Elder  Wallace,  through  a  New  York  mcr- 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  159 

chant  and  importer;  and  the  hair  for  stuffing  was  the 
gift  of  Mr.  Wm.  M.  Singerly,  the  proprietor  of  the 
Philadelphia  Record.  Another  of  the  joyous  reminis- 
cences in  this  connection  was  an  invitation  to  preach  in 
the  church  of  Rev.  Dr.  Vandervere,  in  which  Mr. 
Hardenburg  is  an  elder.  This  noble  old  Dutch  Re- 
formed Church,  so  called  because  its  history  is  in  its 
old  name,  gave  liberally,  its  mission,  too,  joining,  and 
both  are  on  the  roll.  Elder  Hardenburg  was  present  at 
the  opening  services,  bringing  salutatiofis,  which  were 
given  in  a  stirring  speech. 

In  the  last  efforts  toward  the  furnishing  the  pressure 
was  very  heavy,  but  here,  as  ever,  friends  came  to  our 
aid.  James  Spear,  Esq.,  heard  of  our  last  efforts  while 
on  tho  piazza  of  the  Grand  Union  Hotel,  Saratoga,  and 
proposed  to  complete  our  heating  apparatus,  consisting 
of  two  handsome  grates  and  a  large  and  expensive  heater. 
The  beautiful  tiling,  so  much  admired,  around  the  grate 
was  furnished  and  set  by  former  parishioners  in  the 
Cohocksink  Church,  Messrs.  Sharpless  &  Watts.  In 
the  constant  need  of  lumber  a  former  parishioner  in  the 
Alexander  Church,  Charles  Blanchard,  Esq.,  made  a 
large  donation ;  and  in  this  line  were  also  Messrs.  Neeley 
and  Malone.  A  most  timely  offer  was  received  in  this 
emergency  from  Mr.  Selden  Walkley  for  himself  and 
wife  as  a  memorial  of  their  conversion  to  Christ  and  re- 
ception into  the  Alexander  Church,  and  the  baptism  of 
their  two  sons  by  the  pastor,  which  has  become  a  sad 
memorial  of  the  death  of  the  younger. 


CHAPTER   XXIII. 

This  building  is  of  the  most  substantial  character; 
the  exterior  is  of  Lumberton  granite,  fronting  on  Mont- 
gomery Avenue  126  feet,  on  B.ouvier  Street  100  feet; 
having  a  spire  on  the  north-east  corner  136  feet  high, 
70  feet  of  which  is  French  hammered  glass,  the  only  glass 
steeple  in  the  world,  which  at  night  can  be  illuminated. 
A  stone  tower  on  the  uorth-west  corner  is  110  feet  high. 
The  structure  is  Gothic  in  style  of  architecture,  and  has 
a  stained-glass  Avindow,  one  of  the  largest  known,  20  by 
50  feet,  and  five  others  20  by  30  feet.  It  is  two  stories, 
the  first  about  16  feet  high,  has  a  lecture-room  and  seven 
class-rooms.  The  second  contains  a  beautiful  audience- 
room,  with  eight  vaulted  gables,  w^ith  flying  arches,  con- 
verging to  two  points,  supported  by  marble  columns. 
The  interior  is  finished  throu2:hout  in  oak  and  walnut, 
the  interstices  of  the  ceilino;  of  skv-blue.  flecked  with 
stars,  with  chamfers  gilded.  A  gallery  extends  around 
three  sides,  16  feet  wide,  the  front  of  which  is  defended 
by  a  nickel-plated  rod  and  standards.  It  is  semi- cir- 
cular, with  a  parquet  circle ;  fronting  the  audience  are 
two  fire-places,  with  grates  and  mantel-pieces,  one  on 
each  side  of  the  pulpit,  for  heat  and  ventilation.  The 
upholstery  is  of  scarlet  English  damask;  the  carpets  of 
the  best  quality,  the  pulpit  in  Wilton,  aisles  in  Brussels, 
and   the   body  In    ingrain,   nearly    1400   yards.     The 

central  chandelier  Is  a  work  of  art,  the  orls^Inal  cost  of 
160 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  1 61 

which  was  over  $1500.  The  walls  are  frescoed  in  fine 
taste.  The  height  of  the  audience-room  from  floor  to 
apex  is  59  feet.  It  will  hold  about  sixteen  hundred 
people.  Attached  to  the  church  is  a  house  for  the  sex- 
ton, containing  eight  rooms  and  the  Pastor's  study.  The 
ground  and  buildings  cost  about  $60,000,  and  its  present 
value  is  estimated  at  $75,000 ;  this  includes  one  of 
Roosevelt's  best  organs,  with  a  capacity  of  forty-four 
couplings. 

The  dedication  services  began  on  Sunday,  November 
12,  by  a  sermon  from  the  Pastor,  from  the  text  Luke 
vii.  5,  "  For  he  lovetli  our  nation,  and  he  hath  built  us 
a  synagogue."  The  afternoon  services  at  4  o'clock 
consisted  of  addresses  by  the  Revs.  George  Wi swell, 
D.D.,  Matthew  Newkirk,  D.D.,  L.  P.  Hornberger, 
of  the  Baptist  Church,  and  by  Hon.  D.  B.  Judson,  of 
Kingsboro,  N.  Y.  The  evening  sermon  was  by  the  Rev. 
H.  C.  McCook,  D.D.  On  Monday  evening  addresses 
were  made  by  the  Rev.  Drs.  Breed  and  AYiswell.  On 
Tuesday  evening  the  sermon  was  by  the  Rev.  Professor 
Patton,  D.D.,  of  Princeton,  with  Revs.  W.  H.  Hodge 
and  Dr.  Robbins  conducting  the  opening  services.  On 
Wednesday  evening  an  able  and  interesting  address  on 
the  "  Relation  of  Temperance  to  Business  "  was  delivered 
by  Hon.  D.  B.  Judson.  On  Thursday  evening  the  ser- 
mon was  by  the  Rev.  S.  M.  Hamilton,  pastor  of  the 
Scotch  Presbyterian  Church,  New  York.  On  Friday 
evening  preaching  by  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Mcintosh,  of  the 
Second   Presbyterian  Church,  Philadelphia.     On  Sab- 


162  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

bath,  November  19,  the  dedicatory  sermon  was  preached 
by  the  Rev.  Dr.  Cattell.  lu  tlie  service  at  4  P.  M., 
addresses  were  made  by  the  Rev.  Drs.  Agnewand  Thomas 
X.  Orr.  The  w'hole  closed  at  the  evening  service  with 
the  installation  of  the  Pastor,  by  a  committee  of  the 
Presbytery  Central,  consisting  of  the  Rev.  J.  S.  Malone, 
Moderator,  and  Rev.  Dr.  Henry,  who  delivered  the 
sermon.  Rev.  Dr.  Cattell,  of  Lafayette,  gave  the  charge 
to  the  people,  and  the  Rev.  Dr.  Johnstone  the  charge 
to  the  Pastor.  In  addition  to  the  brethren  named  above, 
the  following  were  present  and  took  part  in  the  services, 
viz.  : — Rev.  Drs.  Charles  Brown,  G.  H.  S.  Campbell, 
C.  E.  Ford,  J.  H.  McMonagle,  J.  H.  Munro,  Dr.  W. 
M.  Rice,  W.  D.  Roberts,  J.  Ford  Sutton,  A.  G.  Mc- 
Auley,  and  altogether,  better  preaching  and  talking  by 
ministers  and  laymen  has  not  been  heard  than  that 
which  the  people  of  the  new  Memorial  Presbyterian 
Church,  Eighteenth  Street  and  Montgomery  Avenue, 
had  during  those  ten  days.  The  secular  press  of  Phila- 
delphia also  rendered  invaluable  aid  from  the  beginning. 
This  is  the  result,  substantial  and  splendid,  of  some 
years  of  hard  w^ork,  of  self-denial  and  faithfulness. 
The  history  of  the  enterprise  from  the  day  in  which  it 
was  inspired  by  the  words  of  the  dying  Christian  girl 
to  the  point  just  reached  is  known  to  many  of  our 
readers,  and  may  welL encourage  all  who,  in  the  face  of 
difficulties  and  under  the  pressure  of  dis(;ouragements, 
are  striving  to  advance  the  kingdom  of  Christ.  The 
work  is  one  that  will  stand  and  be  an  honor  to  those 


MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS.  *  163 

by  whom  it  has  been  so  well  accomplisherl .  The  pro- 
perty is  now  entirely  out  of  debt,  and  the  church  starts 
on  its  career  with  a  promise  of  usefulness. 

This  history  is  but  a  record  of  surprises,  most  of 
which  were  in  the  church's  best  interest.  When 
the  time  for  dedication  had  come,  there  was  needed,  to 
clear  all,  over  five  thousand  dollars,  and  the  home 
stretch  in  all  such  movements  is  the  hardest.  The  con- 
gregation had  stripped  itself  of  money,  some  families 
even  of  the  necessaries  for  common  comfort.  Friends 
outside  felt  that  having  reached  the  end  so  nearly,  this 
comparatively  trifling  sum  could  not  stand  in  the  way 
of  final  success.  We  could  no  longer  beg,  and  were 
not  able  to  give,  and  were  nearer  failure  than  at  any 
time  from  the  beginning.  Dedication  day  was  our  only 
hope.  The  faithful  congregation  gave  again  in  the 
morning  service,  but  the  sum  did  not  reach  the  needed 
amount  to  keep  the  pledge  made  at  the  beginning,  not  to 
dedicate  until  absolutely  free  from  debt,  for  the  furnish- 
ing as  well  as  the  building. 

Again,  at  the  afternoon  service,  an  attempt  was  to  be 
made  to  this  end,  and  not  without  discouragement ; 
for  the  people  outside  who  had  money  had  not  ap- 
peared as  yet.  The  first  sense  of  relief  came  in  a  sur- 
prise on  a  card  from  a  friend  who  had  given  so  liberally 
before  that  we  could  have  no  expectation  of  his  giving 
again,  Mr.  James  Hogg  saying  he  would  give  five 
hundred  dollars  if  we,  by  it,  could  raise  the  balance. 
As  the  collectors  passed  around  during  the  services,  we 


t 


1 64  MITES  A  GAINST  MILLIONS. 

had  another  delightful  surprise  from  a  former  parish- 
ioner of  the  Alexander  Church,  Mr.  Wra.  Wood,  of 
five  hundred  dollars  for  himself  and  family.  This  Avas 
not  the  first  gift  from  him.  And  his  wife,  now  of  sainted 
memory,  had  always  remembered  this  church  when  it 
was  a  mission.  They  had  contributed  to  its  Sabbath- 
school  expenses ;  and  to  every  application  for  help  in  the 
many  little  church  devices  to  raise  funds,  they  had  re- 
sponded. This  gift  has  taken  the  form  of  a  precious 
memorial  in  the  fact  that  it  was  probably  the  last  gift 
as  a  united  family.  For  soon  after,  Mrs.  Wood  entered 
into  her  rest,  leaving  a  bereaved  household  and  sorrow- 
ing friends,  not  only  on  account  of  her  noble  qualities, 
but  for  the  loss  to  the  cause  of  Christ,  which  she  ever 
put  before  and  above  all,  and  these  words  are  but  a 
feeble  tribute  from  one  who  had  learned  to  appreciate 
her  precious  life  as  her  Pastor  for  nine  years,  in  which 
he  read  her  character  in  sickness,  in  the  loss  of  her 
children,  and  in  her  pity  to  the  distressed,  and  loyalty 
to  Christ  and  His  Church. 

This  hard-fought  battle  of  poverty  and  adversity 
is  over,  and  the  people  who  struggled  through  all  the 
years  from  June  1st,  1876,  to  the  17th  of  November, 
1882,  have  entered  into  their  temple,  without  debt, 
and  our  noble  benefactors  can  feel  that  their  gifts  will 
bless  the  race  long  after  the  hearts  that  have  prayed 
and  given  have  ceased  to  beat. 

Immediately  after  the  dedication  the  Spirit  of  God 
was  manifestly  again  in  our  midst.  God  put  His  seal  upon 


MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS.  165 

the  work  in  the  Shekinah  of  His  glory.  Forty-eight 
were  added,  thirty-six  by  profession  of  their  faith,  not 
only  from  within  the  covenant  enclosure,  but  out  of  the 
wider  unfolding  of  God's  promise  :  '^  To  them  that  are 
afar  off,  even  as  many  as  the  Lord  our  God  shall  call." 
It  is  to  the  Pastor  an  unspeakable  relief  and  comfort, 
that  the  engagement  at  the  bed-side  of  that  Christian 
child  is  fulfilled.  Another  monument  to  God's  faithful- 
ness in  what  we  sometimes  think  hopeless  undertakings, 
"  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee ;  I  will  per- 
fect My  strength  in  thy  weakness." 

And  now  we  have  reached  the  first  fruit  gathered 
within  the  walls  of  this  new  temple.  We  have  already 
given  a  section  out  of  the  life  of  Horace  Patton,  and 
now  must  tell  the  rest,  and  our  record  will  be  complete. 
Joy  beamed  on  his  noble  face  as  he  entered  the  building, 
all  complete,  whose  every  part  had  gone  together  under 
his  own  gaze.  The  dedicatory  services  were  the  first 
ray  of  a  glorious  sun-setting  to  him.  His  delight  w^as 
evident  as  he  came  in  with  the  two  hundred  little  ones 
to  the  children's  service,  one  of  the  noble  workers  who 
watched  this  flower  garden  of  the  church  during  the 
services  of  the  Week  of  Prayer.  All  his  thoughts  turned 
to  the  salvation  of  his  father  and  sister,  whom  he  fondly 
loved,  and  who  as  yet  had  not  made  profession  of  their 
faith  in  Christ.  He  would  come  to  the  infant  school- 
room and  pray  for  them,  that  God  would  put  His  image 
in  their  hearts.  They  did  not  see  their  way  clear  to 
unite  with  the  church  then,  but  he  had  too  much  faith 


166  MITES  AGAINST  MILLIONS. 

in  God's  promises  to  be  disappointed.  He  believed,  and 
said  to  the  Pastor  that  they  would  come,  and  cheerfully 
went  on  with  his  duties,  little  knowing  how  near  they 
were  ended,  and  when  the  Master  to  whom  he  was 
giving  would  say,  "  It  is  enough,  come  up  hither  and 
behold  My  glories."  He  came,  almost  daily,  to  his 
accustomed  place,  the  infant  school-room,  and  many 
wondered  what  attractions  could  be  there  for  him,  but 
it  is  all  clear  now.  On  Saturday  evening  he  passed 
round  the  corner  of  Eighteenth  Street,  and  turned  down 
Montgomery  Avenue  to  the  church .  The  Pastor,  sitting 
by  the  window,  observed  him  and  remarked,  ^*  There 
goes  Horace  to  gaze  upon  the  church,  the  love 
of  his  heart."  It  was  his  last  look  on  the  towers  and 
walls  he  loved  so  well.  He  was  not  present  at  the 
Friday  night  prayer-meeting,  an  event  so  unusual  that 
inquiries  were  made  about  it.  Dr.  Graydon,  his  phys- 
ician, said,  "  He  has  pneumonia,  and  is  very  sick." 
The  Pastor  went  to  see  him.  He  looked  pale  and 
pensive,  as  if  he  had  vague  intimations  of  something 
just  ahead  which  he  could  not  then  comprehend.  The 
Pastor  prayed  for  liim  and  his  restoration  to  duty,  for 
the  cold  thought  had  not  settled  down  upon  conscious- 
ness that  his  work  was  done;  and  bidding  him  to  be 
strong  and  good-night,  promised  to  see  him  on  Saturday, 
but  before  he  could  fulfill  his  promise  he  was  sent  for, 
and  when  he  reached  him  consciousness  was  sinking  be- 
low the  coast  line,  and  only  lingering  rays  lay  back  upon 
the  receeding  world.     That  night,  after  hours  of  conflict 


MITES  A  GAINS  T  MILL  IONS.  1G7 

with  pain,  he  went  to  sleep,  the  most  beautiful,  sanctified, 
manly  form  and  face  our  tear-dimmed  eyes  ever  rested 
upon.  There  was  no  terror  there;  beauty  had  con- 
sumed it.  No  sorrow  has  ever  so  chastened  this  young 
church.  On  the  day  of  his  burial  the  house  was  filled ; 
the  hearts  alike  of  old  and  young  were  breaking.  Fathers 
and  mothers  wept  as  for  a  noble  son,  and  the  young 
mourned  as  over  a  brother  beautiful  and  true.  His  iorm 
was  the  first  to  be  carried  into  the  church  for  which  he 
toiled,  dressed  by  the  loving  hands  of  the  sorrowing 
women  who  wrought  with  him  in  the  garden  of  flowers; 
they  would  let  no  hands  but  theirs  touch  his  precious 
remains.  At  the  close  of  the  services,  as  the  little  ones 
passed  by  his  coffin,  each  dropped  a  white  flower  on  his 
breast,  and  from  many  eyes  more  precious  tributes  ac- 
companied them.  Our  sky  was  eclipsed,  but  light  has 
come.  That  loving  father  took  the  place  of  his  beloved 
son  at  the  next  communion,  with  that  sister  by  his  side, 
and  a  younger  one,  too,  and  now  they  are  all  in  the 
fold,  and  some  of  his  companions  came  as  well.  "  What 
I  do  thou  knowest  not  now,  but  thou  shalt  know  here- 
after." 

Thanks  unto  God  for  His  unspeakable  gift,  and  thanks 
to  his  children,  made  rich  through  His  poverty,  for  the 
return  they  have  made  to  the  dying  request  of  one  of 
His  little  ones. 


DEED  OF  TRUST. 

In  trust  for,  nevertheless,  and  subject  to  the  following 
conditions,  limitations,  and  restrictions :  That  is  to 
say,  in  trust  for  the  use  of  the  congregation  that  shall 
worship  in  the  church  now  erected  or  hereafter  to  be 
erected  on  said  lot  of  ground  above  described  and 
granted,  so  long  as  said  congregation  shall  adhere  to  the 
doctrines  and  principles  of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of 
the  United  States  of  America,  as  now  held  by  said 
Church,  and  as  the  same  shall  be  announced  from  time 
to  time  by  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Presbyterian 
Church  of  the  United  States  of  America,  with  which 
the  Central  Presbytery  of  Philadelj)hia  is  now  connected. 
And  whenever  the  congregation  worshiping  in  said 
Church  shall  cease  to  adhere  to  the  doctrines  and  princi- 
ples of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United  States  of 
America  as  aforesaid  then  in  trust  to  grant  and  convey 
the  said  lot  or  piece  of  ground,  with  the  church  build- 
ings and  improvements  thereon  erected,  to  the  Board  of 
the  Church  Erection  Fund  of  the  said  General  Assem- 
bly of  the  Presbyterian  Church  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  free,  clear,  and  discharged  of  and  from  all 
trusts  whatsoever.  Provided,  however,  and  it  is  hereby 
expressly  stipulated,  that  the  said  Samuel  A.  Mutch- 
raore,  trustee  as  aforesaid,  his  successor  and  successors 

in  the  trust,  shall  have  no  right,  power,  or  authority  to 

168 


DEED  OF  TRUST.  169 

mortgage  the  said  lot  or  piece  of  ground  with  the  said 
church  buildings  thereon  erected,  nor  in  any  way 
encumber  the  same,  nor  shall  the  same  be  liable  for  any 
debt  contracted  by  the  congregation  worshiping  in  said 
Church,  or  by  any  committee,  officer,  or  trustee  thereof, 
nor  for  any  debt  CQutracted  by  the  said  Samuel  A. 
Mutchmore,  trustee  as  aforesaid,  his  successor  or  suc- 
cessors in  the  trust. 


APPENDIX. 


The  following  are  the  names  of  those  who  by  money, 
materials,  or  services,  helped  this  work  in  its  progress  to 
completion. .  Owing  to. the  lapse  of  so  many  years  since  its 
commencement,  and  among  such  a  large  number  inter- 
ested, it  is  probable  that  the  names  of  many  friends — who 
ought  to  have  honorable  mention — have  been  unintention- 
ally overlooked  and  omitted.  From  all  such  their  most 
generous  indulgence  is  asked. 


Adamson,  William. 

Allen,  Mrs.  Ann. 

Armor,  Thos.  A. 

Allen,  Miss  Eliza. 

Allen,  Miss  Anna. 

Aitken. 

Allen,  William  J. 

Anonymous  (perMrs.Yerkes) 

Allen,  Miss  Ida. 

Allen,  Mrs.  F.  B. 

Allen,  Miss  Saiah. 

Alexander  Presb'n  S.  Sch  )ol. 

Agnew,  Rev.  J.  R. 

Arrott,  William. 

Agnew,  Samuel. 

Alcorn,  Wm.  W. 

Allen,  Miss  Amanda. 

Adamson,  C.  B. 

Allen,  Frank  Olcott. 

Albro,  Mr.  and  Mrs.Chas.  E. 

Albro,  Miss  Carrie  C. 

Allen,  Mi-s  Sue. 


Atkinson  &  Myhlertz. 
Alexander,  Charles. 
Allen,  Miss  Edith  K. 
Armstrong,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  M. 

Baker,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Franklin. 

Barrett. 

Brooks,  Miss  Anna  R. 

Brooks,  Mrs.  M.  A. 

Brooks,  John  C. 

Baker,  Edward,  Jr. 

Baton,  A.  J. 

Bucher,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  G. 

Bucher,  Minnie  and  Bessie. 

Brooks,  Frank. 

Benson,  Gustavu-s  S. 

Buchanan,  Mary. 

Buchanan,  Annie. 

Buchanan,  Johnny. 

Brown,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  W. 

and  famfly. 
Brown,  Mrs.  John  A. 


172 


APPENDIX. 


Benner,  Mrs.  Rosemount. 

Bingham,  Gen'l  H.  H. 

Beattie,  Mrs.  Robt.  H. 

Beaver,  Thomas  S. 

Bertolot,  Abner. 

Baral,  Jno.,  Sr. 

Brossman,  Willie. 

Bond,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  A.  G. 

Bond,  Joshua  A. 

Bach  man,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  C.  E. 

Bachman,  Miss  Mattie. 

Buiittin^,  Harry. 

Brown,  I\Iiss  E. 

Benton,  K. 

Baugh,  Mr. 

Berean  Bible  Class. 

Bedford,  A. 

Bromley,  J.  &  Sons. 

Bromley  Bros. 

15urnett,  Sam'l. 

Bogget  &  White. 

Boggs,  John. 

Buckley  &  Co. 

Baker,  C.  M. 

Blanchard,  Chas. 

Borden,  J.  &  Bro. 

Buck,  D.  &  Bro. 

Burling. 

Black,  Wni.  K. 

Brown,  Isaiah  H.,  Esq. 

Bencker,  Jno.  M. 

Baine,  Mr.  and  Mrs. 

Boyd,  Mrs.  M.  S. 

Boyd,  Mrs.  Jas. 

Beecher,  Mrs.  M.  W. 

Bulkley,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Ed.  R. 

Biglow,  Mr. 


'Bullock,  Miss  Ella. 
Bowman,  Wm.  C.  and  Jennie. 
Butler,  Harvey. 
Blayney,  Mrs.  Emma. 
Boice,  Miss  Anna  G. 
Bolton,  Chas.  and  Lydia. 
Brown,  Wm.  J. 
Brown,  Mrs.  Annie  J. 
Brown,  Thos.  R. 
Brown,  Sarah  E. 
Brown,  Emily. 
Brown,  Mrs.  Emily  C. 
Brown,  Jessie. 
Brown,  Miss  Euphemia  S. 
By  ram,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  E.  M. 
Byram,  C  A. 
Baker,  Ed.  R. 
Baker,  Edw.,  Jr. 
Benner,  Miss  Lottie  S. 
Benner,  Miss  Blanche  S. 
Blair,  Mrs.  Marg't. 
Baugh,  H.  N. 
Bennett,  Mrs.  Isab.  B. 
Bryson,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  H.  H. 
B urban k,  Mrs.  F.  R. 

Cooper,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Joseph  P. 
Cooper,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Henry  B. 
Claghorn,  J. 
Clower,  Miss. 
Colton. 

Cattell,  Rev.  W.  C,  D.D. 
Claghorn,  C.  Eugene. 
Childs,  George  W. 
Clarke,  R.  Case. 
Cuyler,  Rev.  Theo.,  D.D.,  and 
church,  Brooklyn. 


APPENDIX 


173 


Cogswell,  Wm.  F. 

Clapp,    Kev.   R.   C,   and   S. 

School. 
Clarke,  Kev.  Jas.,  D.D. 
Cuyler,  Mrs.  Dr. 
Camp,  AV.  E. 
Carruth.  Jno.  G. 
Crawfortl,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  J.  P. 
Crawford,  Chas.  L. 
Crawford,  Robert. 
Crawford,  Donald. 
Crawford,  Arthur. 
Converse,  Jno.  H. 
Centennial  Chapel  S.  School, 

Brooklyn. 
Cook,  Jesse  M. 
Courtney,  Mrs.  M. 
Crock,  Emma. 
Clower,  Miss  Annie. 
Cooper,  Jones  &  Cadbury. 
Cornish,  T.  E. 
Coleman,  Mrs.  G.  Dawson. 
Craig,  D.  G. 
Crowe,  Alex.  &  Son. 
Currie,  Daniel. 
Carson,  Robert. 
Crannier,  Mrs.  Mary  D. 
Cummings,  John  S. 
Cummingss,  J.  E. 
Charlton. 
Cartrighr,  Jno. 
Cox,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  John. 
Casey,  Mary  A. 
Casey,  Kate. 
Casey,  Harry. 
Carver,  Mrs.  Sallie  E. 
Coryell,  Jos.  R. 


Cox,  Mrs.  Sallie  L. 
Carter,  Miss  Mary  L. 
Chew,  Mrs.  Mary  A. 
Crawford,  Mrs.  Minnie. 
Courter,  Jas.  L. 
Clothier,  Florence. 

Davis,  Mattie  H. 
Dobbins,  R.  L. 
Disston,  Hamilton. 
Disston,  Henry. 
Donaldson,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  W.  T. 
Dickson,  Cyrus,  D.D. 
"  Dale,"  Lancaster,  Pa. 
Dickson,  Mr.  &Mrs.  Thos.H. 
DeWitt,  Rev.  John  and  wife. 
Dickey,  Rev.  C.  A.,  D.D. 
DeWitt' s,  Miss  Julia  S.  School 

(Annie  Garden's  Class). 
Dreer,  Ferdinand  T. 
Dana,  Rev.  S.  W.,  D.D. 
Danforth. 
Dolan,  Thomas. 
Dornan  Bro's.  &  Co. 
Davis,  Kath  &  Kelly. 
Davis  &  Harvey. 
Doak,  Jan  es. 
Devitt,  Thomas. 
Dunlap,  Wra. 
DetwiJer,  J.  B. 
Da  vault  &  Holden. 
Dah  y,  H.  F. 
Diulley,  Bell  &  Arthur. 
Deuel,  Henry. 
Diehl,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  J.  B. 
Davis,  Miss  Emma. 
Drummoud,  George. 


174 


APPENDIX. 


Drummond,  Winslow. 
Druramoud,  Mrs,  S.  E. 
Daufield,  John  H. 
Danfield,  Mary  S. 
Dorsey,  Miss  Lola. 
Duncan,  Miss  Minnie  B. 
Dooley,  Mrs.  Amanda. 
Dunning,  Miss  Elizabeth  D. 

Eshenshade,  J.  E. 
Esbenshade,  Mrs.  L  A. 
Eshenshade,  Mary  A. 
Esbenshade,  Lillie  M. 
Edwards,  Rich'd. 
Edwards,  Rev.  Robt.  A. 
Elliot,  A.  G. 
Edgert'  u    S.    School,   Staten 

Island. 
Eaton,  O.  D.,  Treas. 
Elliott,  Miss  Rebecca. 
Ellis,  Miss  Anabel. 
Ely,  Mrs.  Rev.  Dr. 
Earnest,  Mr.  and  Mrs.  J.  M. 
Earnest,  Alice. 
Earnest,  Maggie. 
Earnest,  Stanley. 
Ebert,  Morris  &  Co. 
Epp,  Peter. 
Ely,  Miss  H.  M. 
Ervin,  James  and  Hessie  J. 

Fithian,  Mrs.  Jos. 

Fowler,  Angle, 

Friend  (per  T.  S.  Gardiner). 

Fahnestock,  H.  C. 

Field,  Samuel. 

Ferguson,  A.  C. 


Freedley,  Jno.  K. 

Filbert,  Dr.  S. 

Fretz,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  Gideon  H. 

Fretz,  Sallie. 

Funk,  John. 

From-h,  Richards  ^i  C". 

Friends  at  Kingsboro,  N.  Y. 
i  Friends  at  Gloversville,  N.  Y. 

Friend;:,  at  Johnstown,  N.  Y. 

Friends  at  Ruffiilo,  N.  Y. 

Friei'ds  at  Harrisburg,  Pa. 

Fox,  Henry  C. 

Futtr,  Mrs.  Emma  Brooks. 

Fry,  Edwin. 

Fry,  Sarah. 
!  Fry,  Laura. 
I  Fry,  Lizzie. 

Foster,  Mrs.  Alice. 
I  Fox,  Miss  Katie  A. 
i  Forrest,  Harry  C. 
I  Forrest,  Eleanor  S. 

!  Graham,  Miss  Mary. 
'Graham,  Miss  Maud. 
Graham,  Miss  Mattie. 
Graham-,  Geo.  S.,  Esq. 
Grier,  Rev.  M.  B.,  D.D. 
Griesemer,  Mr.  &  ^Irs.  C.  F. 
Griesemer,  Minnie. 
Griesemer,  Chester. 
Graydon,  Andrew,  M.  D. 
Graydou,  Mrs.  Andrew. 
Graydon,  Dr.  &  Mrs.  William. 
Gray,  Miss  Ella  E. 
Garsed,  Mrs.  <t  Son. 
Graham,  Henry. 
Grant  children. 


APPENDIX. 


175 


Graham,  Robt. 
Grice,  Adam. 
Gilmore,  George. 
Gillingham,  Jos.  E. 
Gilead  Bible  Class. 
Green,  Miss  Mary  C. 
Gay,  James. 
Garrett,  Miss  Emily  A. 
Gilmore,  James. 
Ga no.  Miss  Mary  J. 
Graham,  James. 
Green,  Geo.  AV. 
Green,  Rachel. 
Green,  Morris. 
Galbraith,  Robt. 
Gaskill,  Mrs.  Margaret. 
Gaskill,  Maggie. 
Griffith,  Wm.  C. 
Griffith,  Guy  M. 
Griffith,  Miss. 
Gorgas,  John,  Jr. 
Grantz,  Miss. 
Gilmore,  Mary  J. 
Gilmore,  Sarah  A. 
Gilmore,  Rebecca. 
Gilmore,  William. 
Grace,  Miss  Mary  A. 

Hamilton,  Rev.  S.  M.,  D.D. 
Hughes,  Jno.  O. 
Hogg,  James. 
Hogg,  William. 
Hogg,  J.  Renwick. 
Hampson,  W.  H. 
Hood,  Mrs.  Sam'l. 
Hingle,  John. 
Hubbard,  Mrs. 


Hay,  Mr.  and  daughter. 

Henderson,  John  and  Lizzie. 

Hinkel,  Miss  F.  K.  (Boston). 

Hazlett,  Mrs.  Mary  A. 

Hoppel,  Mrs. 

Hollowbush,  Jacob. 

Humphreys,  Miss  Maggie. 

Heywood,  E.  S. 

Hawes,  Rev.  Ed. 

Henry,  Rev.  J.  Addison,  D.D. 

Hoffman,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  C.  J. 

Henry,  J.  Charlton. 

Hill,  George  W. 

Hedley,  Sarah  V. 

Hedley,  Mary  E. 

Harlan,  Marg't  K. 

Hoobaugh,  Mr. 

Hamlin,  G.  E. 

Hurst,  Jimmie  R. 

Hibbs,  Eli. 

Hambleton,  Frank. 

Hambleton,  Miss. 

Harrington,  Mr.  &  Mrs.  D.  C: 

Hagenbotham,  Mr.  W.  E. 

Hagenbotham,  Mrs.  W.  E. 

Heany,  Miss  Kate. 

Hall,  Frank  E. 

Howell,  John  and  Addie  C. 

Hunter,  William. 

Holmes,  Henry. 

Hamilton,  John. 

Henston,  Robt. 

Horner  &  Bros. 

Harvey,  Joseph. 

Hitner,  David. 

Heritage. 

Harbert,  Russell  &  Co. 


176 


APPENDIX. 


Hoopes  &  Townsend. 
Harper  &  Tiernan. 
Hornberger,  Rev.  L.  P. 
HeiHDg,  Annie  and  Sallio  R. 
Hillman,  Lizzie. 
Hanley,  Jacob  D. 
Hare,  Anna  C. 
Hill,  Elizabeth. 
Hill,  Edward  B. 
Ilackett,  Elizabeth. 
Hackett,  Louise. 
Hackett,  Mary. 
Hall,  Augeiine. 
Hunsicker,  Hannah. 
Hansell,  David. 
Hansell,  Mary  J. 
Hansell,  Sarah  E. 
Hamilton,  John. 
Hughes,  Florence  E. 
Hicks,  Isaiah. 

Irwin,  James. 
Irwin,  Jesse. 
Inmau,  W.  I. 
Ivins,  Deitz  &  Magee. 
Inger,  Jane. 
Irwin,  Lillie. 

Judson,  D.  B. 
Jessup  &  Moore. 
Johnson,  Henry  and  wife. 
Judge  Bros. 

Johnstown,  N.Y.,cord  church 
and  S.  S.  (per  J.  D.  Parrish). 
Johnston,  Angelina. 
Jarden,  Saml.  H. 
Jnnkin,  George. 


'  Jaffray,  Edw'd  S. 
Jamison,  Wm.  S. 
Jackson,  David. 
Jones  &  Shaw. 
Jackson,  William. 
Jackson,  Howard. 
Janeway,  Kev.  T.  L.,  D.D. 

Kenney,  Wm.  R. 
Kenney,  Sivilla. 
Kenney,  Kate  E. 
Kershow,  Elizabeth  L. 
Kingsboro,  N.  Y.,  Sab.  School 

and  church. 
Kemble,  Wm.  H. 
Kenney,  Hattie  E. 
Kimberly,  Geo.  H. 
Kershow,  Harry. 
Koons,  W.  C. 
Kemble,  Mrs.  C. 
Kirkbride,  I. 
Keefer,  Dr. 
Kurlbaum,  C.  A. 
Kemble,  Samuel  and  wife. 
Kemble,  Helen. 
Kemble,  Thos.  H.  &  Florence. 
Knowles,  Miss. 
Knorr,  Mary  E. 
Knorr,  Lillie. 
King,  Catharine. 
Kirkpatrick,  Ella  M. 
Knox,  Louisa  M. 

Logan,  Rev.  Dr.  S.  C. 

Lorenz,  Ethel. 

Little,  G.  E. 

Liggins,  Charles  and  wife. 


APPENDIX. 


177 


Liggins,  Lizzie  and  Annie. 
Lincoln,  H.  B. 
Linn,  J.  A. 
Lam  birth,  Henry  W. 
Little  Reapers  Association. 
Lorberg,  Clara. 
Lister,  Chas.  C^. 
Lister,  Margaret  E. 
Laucirica,  Jose  Q. 
Leedom,  Thos.  &  Co. 
Langenstein,  J.  &  E. 
Lafayette   Presby'n  Church, 

Brooklyn. 
Loudenslager,  Sophia. 
Lins,  Frank  and  Amelia. 
Lee,  Frances  A. 
Landenberger,  Christopher. 
Landenberger,  Catharine. 
Leach,  Edna  F. 
Liberton,  Rachel  I). 
Lukens,  Mrs.  T.  R. 
LaSerre,  Walter  L. 
Lightcap,  Mary  M. 

Mtitchmore,  8  A. 
McElroy,  \Vm.  J. 
Mclnlire,  Archibald. 
McGill,  J..hn. 
McGill,  Minnie. 
Mc Williams,  Harry. 
McClam,  Thos.  W. 
McClaiii,  Sarah  D. 
McMullin,  L.  S. 
McMullin,  Walter  B. 
McMullin,  Lydia. 
McHeury. 
Marshall,  John. 


McCutcheon,  Wm.  H. 

McCutchcon,  Addie. 

McCutcheon,  Thos.  Potter. 

McCormick,  E.  P.  and  wife. 

Martin,  Dr.  Jos.  and  wife. 

McDonald.  Rhoda. 

Metzgar,  Percy  B.  &  Mary  H. 

McKee,  Jos.  1). 

McCully,  Viucent  P. 

McManes,  James. 

McGill,  James. 

McCormick,  James. 
I  McCormick,  Aug. 
'  McCook,  Rev.  H.  C,  D.D. 

McMillan,  Alex.  M. 

McMillan,  Isab.  F. 

McMillan,  Herbt.  L. 

Mutchmore,  Alex. 

Masson,  Elizab.  and  Robert. 

McKay,  Captain. 

Moffat,  J.  W. 

March,  Rev.  Dr.  Daniel. 

Moore,  H.  C. 

McAuley,  G.  M. 

McCarrell,  S.  J. 

iMiiench,  Danl.  A. 

Miller,  Mrs. 

McClu re,  Arthur. 

McGregor,  Jas. 

Mason,  John. 

Morris,  D.  C. 

Mutchmore,  Thomas,  A. 

McCord,  Jno.  D. 

Moore,  Little  Jennie  E. 

MonteliuF,  Wm.  E. 

Mclntije,  Kate. 

Ma  cKellar,  Smiths  &  Jordan, 


178 


APPENDIX. 


Mann,  Mrs.  Wm.  (per  Hor- 
ace Patton). 
Morrow,  Mattie  B. 
Morrow,  Mary  E. 
Mitchell,  Rev.  Stuart  &  wife. 
McDowell,  Frank  W. 
McCallum,  Crease  &  Sloan. 
McDowell,  Sampson. 
xMcGlue,  Edw.  H. 
Miller,  W.  F. 
Mogee,  Geo.  W. 
Miller,  G.  M.  and  H.  A. 
Murtha,  David. 
Moore,  W.H. 
McKennn,  Owen. 
Malone,  Watson. 
Mcllvaine,  Mrs. 
McLure,  Sophia. 
McLure,  Agnes. 
McLure,  Essie  J. 
McLure,  Thos.  C. 
McLure,  Julius  A. 
McLure,  Albert  G. 
McLure,  Eugenia  A.  H. 
McLure,  Norman  L. 
Middleton,  Nancy  R. 
McGarry,  Mary  A. 
'McGarry,  Maria. 
McGarry,  Edward. 
McGarr>,  Wm.  H. 
McGarry,  John. 
McGarry,  Clara  H. 
McGarry,  Samuel. 
McGarry,  Mary 
McAlpin,  Harriet. 
McAlpin,  Aline. 
McAlpin,  Mary. 


Milliken,  Agnes. 
Moore,  Wm.  H. 
Moore,  Sarah.  M. 
Moore,  Lizzie. 
Moore,  Chas.  H. 
McAuley,  Rev.  Dr.  A.  G. 
Monroe,  Mrs.  F.  E. 
Mitchell,  Jumes  W. 
Mann,  Kate  S. 
MacNeil,  Jane,  Agnes,  Alice. 
MacNeil,  Isabel,  Jennie. 
MncNeil,  John  T. 
Marsh,  Mary  H. 
Mercereau,  Margana. 
Mercereau,  Martha. 
More,  Marian  E. 
Murphy,  Lizzie  M. 
Miller,  Kate  Garva. 
McNaulty,  Jennie. 
Miller,  John  H. 
McDonald,  Chas. 
McDonald,  Isabella. 
McDonald,  John. 
Myers,  Mrs.  H.  H. 
McNally,  Thomas. 
Mcintosh,  Rev.  J.  S.,  D.D. 
Malone,  Rev.  J.  S. 
McMonagle,  Rev.  Dr.  J.  H. 

Newberry,  Rev.  E.  D. 
Nutter,  Henry  P.  &  Mary  A. 
Noble,  Albert  B. 
Noble,  Annie. 
Neely,  Josiah. 
Napheys,  George  C. 
Naudain,  Elias. 
North,  Curtis  L. 


APPENDIX. 


179 


Nolen,  Marg't.  and  Lizzie  C. 
Niles,  Rev.  Dr.  H.  E.,  and 

S.  School,  York. 
Nelson,  Hugh. 
Neely,  Chas.  W.  and  Cora  R. 

Osborne, C.  W.,N.  Y.  church, 

collection. 
Oppeuheimer,  Geo.  A. 
Otto,  Hermine  C. 
Orr,  Mary  and  Sallie. 
Oswald,  Anna  L. 
Offerman,  Mrs.  L.  W. 
Orr,  Rev.  Thos.  X.,  D.D. 

Poor,  Rev.  D.  W.,  D.D. 
Pyle,  Jos.  H.  and  Anna  M. 
Patton,  Jos.  R.  ^-nd  wife. 
Patton,  Horace  M. 
Patton,  Maggie  B. 
Patton,  Josie  and  Willie. 
Poole,  Chas.  A.  L. 
Pollock.  Charlotte. 
Philson,  Thomas  and  Mary. 
Phyff,  Fl  reiice. 
Peall,  Lizzie  K. 
Parker,  Chas.  W.  and  Eliza. 
Porter,  Chas.  L. 
Porter,  Mary  B. 
Porter,  Florence. 
Palmer,  Anna  M.  &  Lottie  C. 
Phelps,  Harvey. 
Prince,  Sam'i  F. 
Porter,  Hon.  Wm.  A. 
Peters,  John  and  wife. 
Peddle,  Geo.  R.  and  Mary  A. 
Peddle,  Lottie  and  Annie. 


Powell,  Geo.  May  and  wife. 
Pollock,  James. 
Patton,  Rev.  Geo.  and  wife. 
Patton,  Maggie  and  Mary. 
Patton,  William. 
Patterson,  William. 
Potter,  William. 
Parmalee,  Mrs. 
Pursell,  Isaac. 
Potter,  J.  Barren. 
Porter,  Charles. 
Purves,  W. 
Patton,  Samuel. 
Potts,  Channing. 
Plowman,  Geo.  W. 
Phillips,  Dominick. 
Patton,  Rev.  F.  L.,  D.D. 
Pickering,  Mrs. 

Rommel. 

Ringgold,  Wm.  S. 
Ringgold,  Mrs.  H.  L. 
Ringgold,  William  L. 
Robb,  Mrs. 
Ripple,  E. 
Richards,  D.  B. 
Russell,  M  A. 
Rouse,  J.  G. 
Rouse,  Ellen  L. 
Rockwell,  Rev.  J.  A.,  D.D. 
Ross,  Philip  S.,  children. 
Rowley,  S.  B. 
Ross,  Jno.  W. 

Robinson,  Rev.  Chas.  S.,  D.D. 
Rubinkara. 

Roberts,  Rev.  Jas.,  &  church 
and  S.  S.,  Coatesviile,  Pa. 


180 


APPENDIX. 


Ringgold  Bible  Class. 
Keese,  Theo. 
Ridpath,  Sani'l. 
Ross  &  Getty. 
Royer  Bros. 
Roberts,  John,  Esq. 
Rausch,  Rebecca  and  Ida. 
Ray,  Charles. 
Richards,  Miss  M.  J. 
Rinewalt,  Jacob. 
Rinewalt,  Ruth. 
Rinewalt,  Nellie. 
Rinewalt,  Joseph. 
Rehn,  Edward  H.  and  wife. 
Rehn,  Roselia  A. 
Roberts,  Wm.  R. 
Riehl,  Aug. 

Richards,  D.  B.  and  F.  T. 
Reardon,  Alice. 
Richer,  David  and  Mary  J. 
Royall,  Theo.  A. 
Royall,  Myra  B. 
Royall,  Maggie  B. 
Royall,  Lida  E. 
Royall,  John  G. 
Royall,  Anna  B. 
Royall,  Theo.  A.,  Jr. 
Roop,  Edward  and  Annie. 
Rieck,  Chas.  L. 
Roumford,  Mary  M. 
Roumford,  Martha  A. 
Roumford,  Julia  L. 
Roumford,  Harry. 
Kowan,  Mary. 
Roberts,  Elizabeth. 
Rankin,  Geo.  H. 
Robbins,  Rev.  F.  L.,  D.D. 


Smith,  William  N. 

SchafFer,  Kate. 

Scott,  Sam'l  G. 

Shaw,  Jas.  T.  and  wife. 

Shaw,  J.  W. 

Shaw,  Walter  8. 

Shaw,  Emma. 

Shaw,  Mary. 

Schatfer,  Kate,  Lina,  Clara. 

Stevenson,  John  B. 

Struthers  &  Sons. 

Still,  William. 

Stinson,  Thomas. 

Stewart,  John  L. 

Swartz,  Geo.  W. 

Sweatman,  V.  C. 

Sage,  Mr. 

Simons,  Capi. 

Smith's,  Mrs.  Horace  (sister). 

Simpson,  Joel. 

Schall,  Mary  H. 

Schall,  May. 

Scott,  Walter  and  Elizabeth. 

Scott,  Jno.  M. 

Scott,  Annie. 

Supplee,  Sarah  A. 

Supplee,  Anna  M. 

Supplee,  Ella  F. 

Simon  ton,  Anna  M. 

Stinson,  James  and  wife. 

Slaymaker,  Henry. 

Savage  Sarah  C. 

Sterigere,  Anna  M. 

Stewart,  Rev.  Wm.  R.  ct  wife. 

Shoch,  Harry  R. 

Singerly,  Wm.  M. 

Scbweikert,  Matilda. 


APPENDIX. 


181 


Stratton,  Nellie. 
StiDSOD,  Thos.  and  Sam'l. 
Sharp,  Matthew  and  wife. 
Stewart,  Helen  and  Maggie. 
State   St.   S.   School    (D.   J. 

Pratt,  Supt.") 
Stone,  Dr. 
Stewart,  Reuel,  M.  D.,  and 

wife, 
Sparhawk,  John. 
Smith,  Peuella  P. 
Stetson,  John  B. 
Scott,  Samuel  G. 
Stewarts'  Sons,  Wm. 
Schatt,  William. 
Seymour,  Agnes  and  Nelson. 
Smallwood,  Carrie  B. 
Seibert,  Amelia. 
Stremmer,  Lewis. 
Stewart,  Benedict. 
Skidmore,  Prof.  S.  T. 
Stewart,  Robert. 
Storv,  Samuel. 
Supplee,  (Iron  column). 
Stevenson,  Morris. 
Stephenson,  H.  &  Son. 
Schaffer,  Chas. 
Shillingford,  H.  H. 
Spear,  William. 
Sharpless  &  Watt. 
Smith,  Jas.  S. 
Stuart,  Roht.  L.,  N.  Y. 
Stuart,  Alexander,  N.  Y. 
Smith,  Sarah  J.  and  Sadie. 
Smith,  Elizabeth. 
Smith,  Jennie. 
Smith,  Sallie  H. 


Smith,  Mary  E. 

Smith,  Ernest  W. 

Spinnehoern,  Henry  H. 

Schelly,  Joel  P.  &  Louisa  M. 

Stevens,  Jennie  K. 

Saville,  Mary  S.  and  Sophia. 

Schell,  Cora  H. 

Smith,  George  H. 

Sutton,  Rev.  J.  Ford,  D.D. 

Thissell,  H.  N.  and  wife. 
Thissell,  Chas.  S.  and  wife. 
Taylor,  Fitch  and  wife. 
Towne,  Chas.  H.  and  wife. 
Tweed,  Columbus. 
Tenbrook,  Philip  H. 
Thompson,  E.  O. 
Thain,  David. 
Taber,  Augusta. 
Thomas,  Rev.  C.  F. 
Thomas,  Jno.  and  wife. 
Taylor,  Thomas. 
Totten,  Wm.  J. 
Totten,  Margt. 
Temp]e,  Mary  J. 
Temple,  Jas.  W.  and  Emma. 
Traville,  Ruth  and  Rose. 
Troutman,  Anna  W.  &  Eliza. 
Troutman,  Lucian. 
Troutman,  Elizabeth. 
Taylor,  Hannah. 
Tuller,  Jeanie  S. 
Thorne,  Annie  W. 

Ustick,  Wm  A. 

Vansant,  A.  L. 


182 


APPENDIX 


Vaudegrift,  Margt.  C. 
Veghti,  Dr. 
Van  Oriiau,  ^[a^y  L. 
Van  Dever,  Mary  J. 

Warthman,  Adam,  Sarah  W. 
Warthman,  Florence. 
Warthman,  Edgar. 
Warthman,  Mary  E. 
AVallace,  Wm.  W. 
West,  Mrs.  and  daughter. 
Wood,  William  and  family. 
Walton,  Geo.  W. 
White,  Elizabeth. 
Weed,  Jerred  S. 
Woolley,  E.  C.  and  mother. 
Wilson;  Eev.  Henrv  R.,  D.D. 
Wricrht,  C.  W. 
Walkley,  Selden  S. 
AVhilldiu,  Alex. 
AVatt,  David  and  wife. 
Watson,  J.  G. 
Warner,  Percy. 
Whiteford,  Maggie  W. 
Westminster  S.  School. 
Wilson,  Rev.  P.  Q. 
AVhiteley,  Jas.  S. 
Wanamaker,  John. 
Wiswell,  Rev.  George,  D.D. 
Walker,  E.  J.  and  wife. 
AVood,  Constance. 
AValler,  Rev.  D.  J. 
White,  Rev.  AV.  P. 
Wentzel. 
AVinner,  Sep. 
AViatt,  J.  M. 
AVilliams,  A.  and  J. 


Wakefield,  H.  W. 
Winter,  G.  W. 
Willis,  F.  AV.  and  wife. 
Willis,  Mary  and  Jessie. 
Willis  AVm.  E.  and  John. 
Williams,  Kate  S.  &  Sallie  B. 
Williams,  Euph.  A. 
Wallace,  Annie  J.  &  James. 
Winters,  Lewis  R. 
AVallace,  Mary  E. 
AVhite,  Margary. 
Whan,  LiUie. 
AVilder,  Mrs.  H.  A. 
AVilder,  Helen. 
AVilder,  Eliza. 
Weeks,  Caroline  B. 
Winner,  J.  G. 
Winner,  Florence  H. 
Winner,  Hannah  J. 
Witcomb,  Jno.  J. 
Wade,  Angus  S. 

Yost,  E.  C. 

Yost,  Charles. 

Yerkes,  Silas  and  wife. 

Yerkes,  Annie  R.  &  Rhetta. 

Young,  AVilliam. 

Young,  Lillie. 

Young,  Linda. 

Young,  Ella. 

Young,  Clara. 

Young,  Robert. 

Young  German  Orchestra. 

Young,  Mr.,  (wharfage), 

Zehnder,  Katie  and  Rosa, 


1 


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